High-Yield Immunology Buzzwords for USMLE Step 1

Disease Name Buzzword High-Yield Association

Bruton's No B cells, recurrent Defect in BTK gene, X-linked
Agammaglobulinemia bacterial infections
Selective IgA Deficiency Anaphylaxis to blood Most common primary
transfusion immunodeficiency
Common Variable Low IgG, IgA, IgM Late onset, recurrent
Immunodeficiency (CVID) sinopulmonary infections
DiGeorge Syndrome 22q11 deletion, absent T-cell deficiency,
thymic shadow hypocalcemia
Severe Combined Recurrent infections in Defective IL-2R or ADA
Immunodeficiency (SCID) infancy, chronic diarrhea deficiency
Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Eczema, thrombocytopenia, WASP gene defect, X-linked
recurrent infections
Hyper-IgM Syndrome High IgM, low other CD40L deficiency, X-linked
immunoglobulins
Chronic Granulomatous Recurrent catalase+ Defective NADPH oxidase,
Disease infections negative NBT test
Chediak-Higashi Syndrome Partial albinism, giant Defective lysosomal
granules trafficking (LYST gene)
Leukocyte Adhesion Delayed separation of CD18 integrin deficiency
Deficiency umbilical cord
Complement C1 esterase Angioedema without Hereditary angioedema
inhibitor deficiency urticaria
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dark urine in the morning Defective GPI anchor,
Hemoglobinuria CD55/59 absent
Terminal complement Recurrent Neisseria MAC formation impaired
deficiency (C5-C9) infections
IL-12 Receptor Deficiency Disseminated mycobacterial ↓ IFN-γ production
infections
Job Syndrome (Hyper-IgE) Eczema, retained baby STAT3 mutation, impaired
teeth, coarse facies neutrophil recruitment
IPEX Syndrome Autoimmunity in infancy FOXP3 mutation, Treg
dysfunction
X-linked EBV-induced fulminant SH2D1A mutation
Lymphoproliferative infection
Syndrome
Autoimmune Lymphadenopathy, FAS mutation, defective
Lymphoproliferative hepatosplenomegaly apoptosis
Syndrome
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Ataxia, spider angiomas, ATM gene defect, ↑ AFP
low IgA
Hyper IgE Syndrome Cold abscesses, eosinophilia Impaired Th17, STAT3
mutation
Anaphylaxis Wheezing, hypotension, IgE-mediated mast cell
urticaria degranulation
Type I Hypersensitivity Immediate reaction, Allergies, asthma,
histamine release anaphylaxis
Type II Hypersensitivity Antibody-mediated Hemolytic anemia,
cytotoxicity Goodpasture syndrome
Type III Hypersensitivity Immune complex SLE, serum sickness, post-
deposition strep GN
Type IV Hypersensitivity Delayed reaction, T-cell Contact dermatitis, PPD test
mediated
Serum Sickness Fever, rash, arthralgia after Type III hypersensitivity
drug
Arthus Reaction Localized swelling and Type III hypersensitivity
necrosis
Superantigen Effect Shock, cytokine storm Toxic shock syndrome toxin
(TSST-1)
AIRE Gene Mutation Chronic mucocutaneous Central T cell tolerance
candidiasis failure
Immune Checkpoint Autoimmune side effects Anti-CTLA-4 or PD-1
Inhibition therapy
Regulatory T Cells Express CD4, CD25, FOXP3 Suppress immune
responses
T Cell Anergy TCR stimulation without Peripheral tolerance
costimulation mechanism
Allograft Rejection Minutes, thrombosis, Preformed antibodies
(Hyperacute) necrosis
Allograft Rejection (Acute) Weeks, lymphocytic T-cell mediated
infiltrate
Allograft Rejection Months to years, fibrosis T and B cell mediated
(Chronic)
Graft vs Host Disease Rash, diarrhea, jaundice Bone marrow transplant
complication
Live Attenuated Vaccines Strong cellular response MMR, varicella, BCG
Killed Vaccines Weaker response, only Rabies, influenza (injected),
humoral hepatitis A
Toxoid Vaccines Toxin inactivation Tetanus, diphtheria
Adjuvant Enhances immune response Often added to vaccines
to antigen
Monoclonal Antibody Specific antigen targeting Rituximab, trastuzumab
Therapy
Checkpoint Inhibitors Target CTLA-4, PD-1 Boost T-cell activity
IL-2 T cell proliferation Used in RCC, melanoma
IFN-α Antiviral activity Used in Hep B, Hep C,
Kaposi sarcoma
IFN-γ Macrophage activation Used in CGD
TNF-α Inhibitors Risk of reactivation TB Infliximab, adalimumab
IL-6 Blockers Used in RA Tocilizumab
Costimulatory Molecule CD28 binds B7 T-cell activation
Rituximab Targets CD20 Used in B-cell lymphomas,
RA
Omalizumab Targets IgE Used in severe allergic
 asthma
Basiliximab Targets IL-2 receptor Immunosuppressant for
transplant
Alemtuzumab Targets CD52 Used in CLL, MS
Eculizumab Targets complement Used in PNH
protein C5
Abciximab Targets GPIIb/IIIa Antiplatelet agent
Belimumab Targets BAFF (B-cell Used in SLE
activating factor)
Natalizumab Targets α4-integrin Used in MS and Crohn
disease
Ustekinumab Targets IL-12 and IL-23 Used in psoriasis, psoriatic
arthritis
Anakinra IL-1 receptor antagonist Used in RA
Canakinumab Targets IL-1β Used in systemic juvenile
idiopathic arthritis
Tocilizumab Targets IL-6 receptor Used in RA and cytokine
release syndrome
Sarilumab Targets IL-6 receptor Used in RA
Dupilumab Targets IL-4 receptor alpha Used in atopic dermatitis,
asthma
Guselkumab Targets IL-23 Used in plaque psoriasis
Tildrakizumab Targets IL-23p19 Used in psoriasis
Secukinumab Targets IL-17A Used in psoriasis,
ankylosing spondylitis
Ixekizumab Targets IL-17A Used in plaque psoriasis
Brodalumab Targets IL-17 receptor A Used in psoriasis
Vedolizumab Targets α4β7 integrin Used in IBD
Certolizumab pegol TNF-alpha inhibitor Used in Crohn disease
Golimumab TNF-alpha inhibitor Used in RA, UC, psoriasis
Etanercept Decoy TNF-alpha receptor Used in RA, psoriasis
Adalimumab Targets TNF-alpha Used in RA, IBD, psoriasis
Infliximab Targets TNF-alpha Used in RA, Crohn, UC
T-cell Activation Signal 1 TCR-MHC interaction Essential for immune
response
T-cell Activation Signal 2 CD28-B7 interaction Required for full T-cell
activation
Signal 3 Cytokines direct T-cell IL-12 → Th1, IL-4 → Th2
differentiation
Th1 Cells Secrete IFN-γ Activate macrophages, cell-
mediated immunity
Th2 Cells Secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 Promote IgE, eosinophils
Th17 Cells Secrete IL-17 Important in mucosal
defense, autoimmunity
Treg Cells Express FOXP3, CD25 Suppress autoimmunity
HLA-B27 Associated with Ankylosing spondylitis,
seronegative reactive arthritis
spondyloarthropathies
HLA-DR3 Associated with SLE, T1DM
autoimmune diseases
HLA-DR4 Associated with RA, T1DM Genetic predisposition
HLA-DQ2/DQ8 Associated with celiac Gluten sensitivity
disease
Fc Receptor Binds antibody constant Found on phagocytes, mast
region cells
CD3 T cell marker Associated with TCR
complex
CD4 Helper T cell marker Recognizes MHC II
CD8 Cytotoxic T cell marker Recognizes MHC I
CD19, CD20 B cell markers Targets for monoclonal
antibodies
CD14 Monocyte/macrophage Binds LPS
marker
CD16 Fc receptor on NK cells Antibody-dependent
cytotoxicity
CD56 NK cell marker Cytotoxic innate
lymphocyte
Class Switching Requires CD40-CD40L Failure → Hyper-IgM
interaction syndrome
Somatic Hypermutation Occurs in germinal centers Increases antibody affinity
Affinity Maturation Driven by somatic Higher binding strength
hypermutation antibodies