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IMMUNOLOGY
Sulove Koirala
sulovekoirala@outlook.com
Agiculture and Forestry University, Nepal
Sulove Koirala
SCOPE OF IMMUNOLOGY
Immunology is a very important branch of the medical and biological
sciences. Many diseases in humans and animals are caused by infections and
disorders of the immune system. Understanding Immunology is, therefore,
key to developing treatments to help manage and reduce the debilitating
effects disease brings. Immunology also helps in diagnosing disease, by
providing the basic tools for identifying aberrant changes in the body.
Vaccination and global welfare
Our understanding of the immune system and how it works has improved
remarkably over recent decades. International efforts to eradicate disease,
through collaboration and exchange of information, have enabled exciting
breakthroughs to occur. Several infectious diseases including smallpox,
measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, tuberculosis
and polio are no longer a threat in many developed country. This is due to
the successful development and application of medicinal preparations known
as vaccines.
Vaccines
A vaccine is a substance that teaches the body to recognize and defend itself
against infections caused by dangerous microbes or 'pathogens' such as
bacteria, viruses and parasites. Vaccines provide a sneak 'preview' of a
specific pathogen, which stimulates the body's immune system to prepare
itself in the event that infection occurs.
Global eradication of disease
Disease eradication is currently defined as the extinction of a particular
pathogen in the population. This does not necessarily refer also to its
elimination in the environment. Therefore, it is vital that control measures
like vaccination still continue. Smallpox and Rinderpest is currently the
only infectious disease that has been completely eradicated as a result of a
global vaccination programme. Polio is the only other disease that is close to
being eliminated due to vaccination efforts. Polio is reported to be
widespread in only four countries in the world: Nigeria, India, Pakistan and
Afghanistan.
Potential complications arising from the vaccine itself, since the viral
component of the vaccine can mutate after excretion into a more virulent
form capable of infecting people once more.
Sulove Koirala
Sulove Koirala
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body it is
meant to protect. People suffering from autoimmune diseases have a defect
that makes them unable to distinguish 'self' from 'foreign' molecules.
The principles of Immunology have provided a wide range of laboratory tests
for the detection of autoimmune diseases.
Improving transplant outcomes
Sulove Koirala
Sulove Koirala
A new approach, hailed as 'the third vaccine revolution' uses what are called
'DNA vaccines' as a basis for protecting against infection. The technique
involves introducing a specific part of DNA from a pathogen into a living host.
The cells of the host then make proteins normally produced by the invading
pathogen, which leads to an immune response that would protect the
individual against possible infection if exposed to the real pathogen. Other
advances within this field include the application of genetic engineering to
produce edible vaccines. The genetic material of plants is altered to enable
them to synthesize vaccines in the edible part of a food plant, i.e. fruit. This
is particularly beneficial to countries lacking adequate storage facilities or
staff to administer vaccines to its public.