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Here, the immune system adapts its response during an infection to improve its recognition of the pathogen. This improved response is then retained after the pathogen has been eliminated, in the form of an immunological memory, and allows the adaptive immune system to mount faster and stronger attacks each time this pathogen is encountered. [4] [5]
An immune response is a physiological reaction which occurs within an organism in the context of inflammation for the purpose of defending against exogenous factors. These include a wide variety of different toxins, viruses, intra- and extracellular bacteria, protozoa, helminths, and fungi which could cause serious problems to the health of the host organism if not cleared from the body.
Ringworm. What it looks like: Ringworm is a common skin infection caused by a fungus. It gets its name from its circular rash, which is often red, swollen, and cracked. Other symptoms to note ...
In immunology, autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells, tissues and other normal body constituents. [1] [2] Any disease resulting from this type of immune response is termed an "autoimmune disease".
Innate immune system cells prevent free growth of microorganisms within the body, but many pathogens have evolved mechanisms to evade it. [ 21 ] [ 22 ] One strategy is intracellular replication, as practised by Mycobacterium tuberculosis , or wearing a protective capsule, which prevents lysis by complement and by phagocytes, as in Salmonella ...
An antigen (short for antibody generator), is defined as any substance that binds to a specific antibody and elicits an adaptive immune response. [ 2 ] Most viral vaccines are based on live attenuated viruses, whereas many bacterial vaccines are based on acellular components of microorganisms, including harmless toxin components. [ 2 ]
Infections can be caused by a wide range of pathogens, most prominently bacteria and viruses. [2] Hosts can fight infections using their immune systems. Mammalian hosts react to infections with an innate response, often involving inflammation, followed by an adaptive response. Treatment for infections depends on the type of pathogen involved.
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