Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Human physiology, hazards and health risks
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2023
Revati Phalkey, Naima Bradley, Alec Dobney, Virginia Murray, John O’Hagan, Mutahir Ahmad, Darren Addison, Tracy Gooding, Timothy W Gant, Emma L Marczylo, Caryn L Cox
Immune responses – Immunology is the study of the physiological responses by which the body destroys or neutralises foreign matter or xenobiotics, living and non-living, as well as cells of its own that have become altered in certain ways. The ability of the immune response to protect us against bacteria, fungi, viruses and other parasites and other foreign matter is one of the most important defence mechanisms of the human body.
Bioaerosol-Induced Hypersensitivity Diseases
Published in Harriet A. Burge, Bioaerosols, 2020
Cory E. Cookingham, William R. Solomon
Respiratory exposures to airborne allergens (aeroallergens), many of biological origin, account for most allergic asthma and “hay fever,” and invariably determine occurrences of typical hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Airborne agents also may induce allergic conjunctivitis and affect atopic eczema but are rarely invoked in urticaria and angioedema, anaphylaxis, and allergic contact dermatitis. In addition, respiratory exposure probably initiates allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses (e.g., bronchopulmonary aspergillosis). This chapter presents an overview of the hypersensitivity diseases as they relate to biological aerosols. For the purposes of this discussion, the following definitions apply: Hypersensitivity disease: an illness resulting from an abnormal or maladaptive response of the immune system to a substance recognized as “foreign.” Allergic contact dermatitis (e.g., poison ivy dermatitis) and common immu-noglobulin E (IgE)-mediated conditions such as hay fever and allergic asthma are common examples of “allergic diseasrs.”Bronchial hyperactivity: an increased tendency to develop airway narrowing in response to nonimmunologic and, often, immunologic stimuli.Antigen*: an agent that elicits a specific immunologic response, with subsequent development of specific antibody, cell-mediated immunity, or both.Allergen: an antigen that elicits symptoms of allergic diseas,e in a previously sensitized person.Atopy: a hereditofamilial predisposition to IgE-mediated allergic disease, especially in response to antigens encountered at mucous membranes.
Human physiology, hazards and health risks
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2016
David J. Baker, Naima Bradley, Alec Dobney, Virginia Murray, Jill R. Meara, John O’Hagan, Neil P. McColl, Caryn L. Cox
Immunology is the study of the physiological responses by which the body destroys or neutralises foreign matter or xenobiotics, living and non-living, as well as cells of its own that have become altered in certain ways. The ability of the immune response to protect us against bacteria, fungi, viruses and other parasites and other foreign matter is one of the most important defence mechanisms of the human body.
Immunology research in Latin American countries: a bibliometric analysis of scientific productivity and collaboration covering the period 2000–2017
Published in Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology and Society, 2021
Luis Humberto Fabila-Castillo, Ruy Fabila-Monroy, Ana Alejandra Morales-Rodríguez
Immunology is an important branch of the biomedical sciences that studies the immune system which defends us against infections. When we are exposed to an infectious microorganism, non-specific immune mechanisms protect us from becoming infected. In some cases, these mechanisms are insufficient, and the individual becomes infected. In this case, what is called an adaptive or specific immune response recognizes molecules from the microorganisms, called antigens, and mounts an immune response against these antigens, which finally eliminates the microorganism. After this, the individual becomes immune to that particular microorganism. In other cases, the immune system cannot get rid of the microorganism, and the individual gets sick and possibly dies. The immune response can also cause damage to the individual, as is the case of allergies where a particular type of immune response is mounted against common antigens, not necessarily derived from infectious microorganisms. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology estimates that, worldwide, 40% to 50% of schoolchildren suffer from some type of allergy (https://www.aaaai.org/about-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics). Sometimes, the immune response is directed against self-antigens, and the immune system attacks our organism, resulting in what is called an autoimmune disease. More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified, and most of them have severe and long-term effects on health. They are widespread worldwide, and their incidence and prevalence are increasing (Lerner, Jeremias, and Matthias 2015). The immune system also has an essential role in controlling cancerous cells. Cancer develops when these cells manage to avoid destruction by the immune system. In the last decades, immunologists have devised ways to manipulate the immune system to defeat several types of cancer successfully (Yang 2015).