Defence Mechanism Microbiology

Defense mechanism
MRS CHIMAMA
General objectives
Atthe end of the lesson students

should able to demonstrate an
understanding of defence
mechanism
Specific objectives
 Define the terms defence mechanism,

normal flora, opportunistic infections and
nosocomial infections
 Discuss the types of defence mechanism
 Outline the types of normal flora
 Describe the elements that alter the growth
of normal flora
 Outline the sites of normal flora
DEFINATION OF TERMS
Defence mechanism this is any self-

protective physiological system or
reaction of an organism
Normal flora are microorganisms that
inhabit /occupy the skin and mucous
membranes of healthy normal persons
TYPES OF DEFENCE MECHANISM
 The human immune system is essential for

survival in a world full of potentially dangerous
microbes. Its defence can be arranged into two
groups
 . The Nonspecific defence mechanism (protects
against invasion) 1st and 2nd line
 specific defence mechanism (checks the
uncontrolled replication of microorganisms
once in the body) 3 line
rd
Non- specific defence system
SKIN AND MUCOUS MEMBRANE
A. Skin (anatomical barrier)
 Both the skin and the mucous membranes form the first line
of defence and belong to Nonspecific defence mechanisms.
 The intact skin provides a barrier through which most micro-
organism cannot pass it Provides a good defence against
invasion. Most microorganisms enter the body through a
break in the skin.
 The secretions of the skin by sweat and sebaceous glands
which are acidity and have chemicals which have anti-
bacterial properties tend to eliminate pathogenic bacteria
B. Mucous Membranes/Surfaces
 Bacteria are removed mechanically from
mucous membranes such as the nose,
mouth and vagina as mucus secretions trap
in the sticky secretion on the surface
(mucus) and then swept away by the action
Of cilia, minute hair-like ladies projecting
from the cells lining the cavity.
2.Secretions
All organs in the body which are in contact with the
external environment produce secretions which act in
2 ways ;
a)Mechanical action e.g. secretions of the bronchi
entrap organisms and these are propelled away from
the alveoli by the action of cilia in the bronchi and
expelled tears by sneezing and coughing in the eye
b)Chemical action Secretions may be acidic like sweat
and gastric juice or strongly alkaline like bile
Specific defense mechanism
 While healthy phagocytes are critical to

good health, they are unable to address
certain infectious threats. Specific immunity
is a complement to the function of
phagocytes and other elements of the innate
immune system.
 Incontrast to innate immunity, specific
immunity allows for a targeted response
against a specific pathogen. Only
vertebrates have specific immune responses
Specific defence mechanism
 Twotypes of white blood cells called

lymphocytes are vital to the specific immune
response. Lymphocytes are produced in the
bone marrow, and mature into one of
several subtypes. The two most common are
T cells and B cells.
 An antigen is a foreign material that triggers

a response from T and B cells. The human
Body has B and T cells specific to millions of
different antigens. We usually think of
Antigens as part of microbes, but antigens
can be present in other settings.
 Forexample, if a person received a blood
transfusion that did not match his blood
type, it could trigger reactions from T and B
cells. A useful way to think of T cells and B
cells is as follows: B cells have one property
that is essential. They can mature and
differentiate into plasma cells that produce a
protein called an antibody. This protein is
specifically targeted to a particular antigen.
 However, B cells alone are not very good at

making antibody and rely on T cells to
provide a signal that. They should begin the
process of maturation. When a properly
informed B cell recognizes the antigen it is
coded to respond to, it divides and produces
many plasma cells. The plasma cells then
secrete large numbers of antibodies, which
fight specific antigens circulating in the
blood
T cells are activated when a particular

phagocyte known as an antigen-presenting
cell (APC) displays the antigen to which the T
cell is specific. This blended cell (mostly
human but displaying an antigen to the T
cell) is a trigger for the various elements of
the specific immune response
 A subtype of T cell known as a T helper cell

performs a number of roles. T helper cells release
chemicals to, Help activate B cells to divide into
plasma cells, Call in phagocytes to destroy
microbes, Activate killer T cells Once activated, killer
T cells recognize infected body cells and destroy
them. Regulatory T cells (also called suppressor T
cells) help to control the immune response.
 They recognize when a threat has been contained
and then send out signals to stop the attack.
2. Inflammation (inflammatory reaction/process)

 Inflammation is the complex biological response of
vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as
pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a
protective attempt by the organism to remove the
injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing
process for the tissue. This is
 a general reaction of body tissues to a noxious
agent such as chemical or physical in nature.
 Followinginjury or entry of microorganisms
into body tissues, a series of changes take
place. The small blood vessels increase in
diameter and the rate of blood flow
increases, the area becomes redder and
warmer than its surroundings. This causes
swelling of the part.
The lymphatic system
is part of the circulatory system, comprising a
network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that
carry a clear fluid called lymph directionally towards
the heart., Lymphoid tissue is found include lymph
nodes, lymphoid follicles associated with the digestive
system such as the tonsils, the spleen, thymus and
the bone marrow
Humoral
 The two types of immunity are; Innate

Immunity (natural) or non-specific
immunity. This is the natural or inborn
type of immunity that is not acquired
after birth. We are born with it.
Acquired (Specific/Adaptive) immunity
 . Acquired (Specific/Adaptive) immunity.
This type of immunity occurs in response to

infection. It is divided in to two components and
these are; Humoral immunity, Cell mediated
immunity Innate Immunity (natural) or non-
specific immunity This prevents entry of micro-
organisms into tissues or, once they have
gained entry, eliminates them prior to the
occurrence of disease
This includes a number of systems, which functions
immediately or at short notice. They are referred to as
non-specific because they respond to microorganisms
equally and consistently.
SUMMARY
 Defence mechanism this is any self-

protective physiological system or reaction
of an organism
 Thehuman immune system is essential for
survival in a world full of potentially
dangerous microbes. Its defence can be
arranged into two groups. The Nonspecific
defence mechanism (protects against
invasion) and specific defence mechanism
(checks the uncontrolled replication of

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Defense mechanism

Atthe end of the lesson students

 Define the terms defence mechanism,

Defence mechanism this is any self-

 The human immune system is essential for

A. Skin (anatomical barrier)

 While healthy phagocytes are critical to

 Twotypes of white blood cells called

 An antigen is a foreign material that triggers

 However, B cells alone are not very good at

T cells are activated when a particular

 A subtype of T cell known as a T helper cell

2. Inflammation (inflammatory reaction/process)

 The two types of immunity are; Innate

This type of immunity occurs in response to

 Defence mechanism this is any self-

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