Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, commonly called pneumococci, differ from other streptococci in that they contain complex polysaccharide capsules that consitute the major virulence determinant in the species. Pneumococci are respiratory pathogens that colonize upper airways and cause bronchitis or pneumonia after aspiration of respiratory secretions. (more…)
Of the several species of Haemophilus that are known, Haemophilus influenzae is the most prevalent pathogen. Several distinct capsu ...
Exotoxins are noxious proteins secreted by many bacteria. These toxins are often heat-labile and thus can be heat-inactivated f ...
Measles virus is a highly infectious viral disease characterized by a sore throat and a blotchy red rash that starts on the fac ...
Immunization is needed for person to be prevented of getting diseases, whereas in bigger scale, it is needed to eradicate the bre ...
The final stage of the disease process (although it may not be the final stage of the infection) is the actual production of di ...
While our primary concern is the impact that the innate immune system has on allergic disease, it is essential to recognize that allergic disease also impacts on the function- ing of the innate immune system. In part this is through treatment, since immunosuppressive therapies inevitably contribute to impairment of immunity at the levels of the innate and adaptive systems. (more…)
Innate immune responses are seen in a very broad range of tissues. Indeed, the Toll-like receptors (TLRs, one of the most important ...
Innate immunity depends on both resident and recruited leukocytes. The macrophage without doubt plays an import- ant role in the de ...
Contact of pathogens with the innate immune system will most frequently occur at epithelia, and the biology of the airway epitheliu ...
Activation of the innate immune system is an integral part of the pathology of allergic diseases such as asthma, with a dual role t ...
Exacerbations of asthma are frequently associated with rhinoviral infection. Rhinoviruses infect respiratory epithelial cells, ...