These essays are provided as an illustration of how different aspects of the pathology course might be considered (or even examined). Please feel free to use them in any way that you find useful.
Study essay titles:
1. "The bacterial flora is dangerous" - discuss.
2. For the bacterial organism of your choice, describe how its physiology / general characteristics and its virulence determinants determine the infection(s) that it causes.
3. Describe, with appropriate clinical examples, at least three different immune responses that do significant harm to the host.
4. "All infections are the consequence of some form of immunodeficiency." - discuss.
5. Describe the structure, components, and replicative cycle of influenza, describe how its components interact with host cells, and the possible drug and vaccine treatments strategies available (including the problems that might be associated with each).
6. Describe the structure, components, and replicative cycle of HIV, describe how its components interact with host cells, and the possible drug and vaccine treatments strategies available (including the problems that might be associated with each).
7. What is the association between viral infection and cancer? What (briefly) is the prospect for their prevention?
(to help you get your examples clear and diverse please consider including (but not limiting yourselves to this stuff) in your answers reference to translocation between Ig and c-myc locus in Burkett’s lymphoma (extra credit to those who get the subsequent role of EBNA1), the interactions of EBNA protein (up to you to work out which) with RB and p53, and at least one example from some other virus of a specific protein involved in malignant transformation).
8. Describe the characteristic features of necrosis and apoptosis. Describe the mechanisms and roles of apoptosis in health and disease.
9. How can the risks of cardiovascular disease be reduced, and what general strategies can be used to reduce the morbidity and mortality of people with established disease?
10. Tolerance. What is it? How is it generated. When / how does it break down?
11. Some bacteria (almost) always cause disease and / or symptoms (professional pathogens), others commonly colonize but only rarely cause disease – but when it occurs this can be just or often more serious (non-professional pathogens). What are the main differences between these different types of pathogen and their host interactions. What similar host-interacting properties do they share?
12. What is the role of infection in the causation of human cancer? (including mechanisms where appropriate, and note that I will ignore EVERYTHING written of no relevance to humans)
13. How does your immune system discriminate between ‘self’ and ‘non-self’?
14. Describe the contributions of, and interactions between, innate and adaptive immune systems in: initial response to a pyogenic infection of a skin wound, chronic inflammation, arteriosclerosis, and anti-viral defences. (nb this is a full 1h writing essay because it covers and brings together material for several major components of the course).
Previous Collections Questions:
Essays from 2006/7 Pathology Collection
1. Why does the immune system need antibodies?
2. Illustrating your answer with appropriate examples, what are the characteristics of the targets of bacterial and viral pathogens recognized by the innate immune system.
3. What characteristics distinguish a bacterial pathogen from a harmless colonizing commensal?
4. Why is the ‘antibiotic era’ not over?
5. How does a virus exploit the normal physiology of the human cell?
6. Compare and contrast neutrophils and macrophages.
Essays from 2005/6 Pathology Collection
1. What is the nature of the immune response to HIV, and why is the immune system unable to eradicate HIV infection?
2. Discuss the relationship between the transmission-colonization cycle and virulence.
3. With appropriate examples describe the ways in which antibiotics display selective toxicity for bacteria.
4. Discuss the functions and importance of the macrophage in immunity.
5. Compare and contrast the immune responses to viral infection and the rejection of solid organ transplants.
Essays from 2004/5 Pathology Collection
1. What is the nature of the immune response to HIV, and why is the immune system unable to eradicate HIV infection?
2. Discuss the relationship between the transmission-colonization cycle and virulence.
3. With appropriate examples describe the ways in which antibiotics display selective toxicity for bacteria.
4. Discuss the functions and importance of the macrophage in immunity.
Essays from 2003/4 Pathology Collection
1. “The innate immune system is more important than the adaptive immune system” Discuss.
2. Using appropriate examples, discuss the differences between “professional” and “non-professional” pathogens.
3. Describe the features of viruses that facilitate evasion of the host immune responses.
4. Describe the main ways in which bacteria change their physiology and structures to become resistant to antibiotics. (Please note that this is NOT a question on horizontal transfer of DNA!)