Introduction to

immunology
 Introduction to immunology

Immunology

A branch of medical science that studies of the components and

function of the immune system and how the human immune system
fights off the disease.

Immunity : is derived from the Latin word immunitas , which referred

to the protection from governmental legal action, this provided the
English terminology (Immunity ), which mean protective or defines
mechanism of our body to insure healthy life.

Curriculum

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 Introduction to immunology

Host-pathogen interaction

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 Introduction to immunology

Host-pathogen interaction

Host

Commensal organisms

- It’s a harmless parasite and it can establish themselves in the throat,

nose, or intestines without damage to the host e.g. The organisms of
the normal flora

- It can create inhibitory metabolites (e.g. propionic acid, hydrogen

peroxide) & antibiotic like substances (e.g. bacteriocines)

- In the vagina it ferment glycogen to reducing the pH to 4 which

makes conditions less suitable for pathogenic candida (fungi) to thrive.

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 Introduction to immunology

- Commensal organisms in some condition may cause disease, thus they

are considered as opportunistic pathogens.
1- Lowered host defines mechanisms e.g. (Immunosuppressed,
diabetics or leukemic patients).

2- Change in the normal habitat of the organisms e.g. (E.coli, A normal

in habitant of the intestine, it may cause urinary tract infection if it
reaches the renal system)

3- Alteration of the host tissues .e.g. Viridans streptococci, a normal

inhabitant of throat, may cause sub-acute bacterial endocarditis after
teeth extraction if they rest on abnormal heart valves.

Pathogenic organisms:

It is pathogens capable of establishing in the host tissues causing

disturbance of physiological function thus leading to disease.

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 Introduction to immunology

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 Introduction to immunology

Whether a given infection will result in a disease or not, depend on:

1- Microbical factors ( Pathogenicity , Virulence )

2- Host resistance factors ( Immunity): which is

divided into:

* Non-specific immunity (natural)

*Specific Immunity (acquired) which is divided in to:

A- Humoral Immunity
B- Cell-mediated immunity}

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 Introduction to immunology

Pathogenicity of an organism determined by the following:

1- type of microbial toxins

2- Extracellular enzymes

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 Introduction to immunology

Conclusion

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