Acquired immunity

Enhanced resistance to disease in plants after an initial infection has fascinated observers for over 100 years. A review of the subject by Chester in 1933 contains 201 references (Jj. "Immunization", "acquired systemic resistance", or "induced resistance" of plants have been reviewed in recent years (2-11). We shall not exhaustively review the literature, but shall focus on general principles and phenomena of particular relevance to the use of "plant immunization" for the practical control of disease. This paper will stress examples from our own research program, but wi1i also include literature citations to provide the reader with an appreciation of important research contributions of others previously and presently active in the field. Most examples presented will deal with fungal, bacterial, or viral diseases of crop plants, but similar principles may apply to infestations by nematodes and, possibly, insects. 

FRACTIONATION,BLOOD - PLASMAFRACTIONATION] (Volll) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)... 

Impla.nta.ble Ports. The safest method of accessing the vascular system is by means of a vascular access device (VAD) or port. Older VAD designs protmded through the skin. The totally implanted ports are designed for convenience, near absence of infection, and ease of implantation. Ports allow dmgs and fluids to be deUvered directiy into the bloodstream without repeated insertion of needles into a vein. The primary recipients of totally implanted ports are patients receiving chemotherapy, bolus infusions of vesicants, parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, analgesics, and acquired immune disease syndrome (AIDS) medications. 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Human immunodeficiency vims (HIV) causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which has no cure. HIV infects the cells of the human immune system, such as T-lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. After a long period of latency and persistent infection, it results in the progressive decline of the immune system, and leads to full-blown AIDS, resulting in death. 

In 1983 the move to develop red cell substitutes intensified when it was recognized that the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) could be transmitted by the blood-bome human immunodeficiency vims (HIV). Concern for the nation s blood supply followed. Since that time other retrovimses have been identified, efforts to screen blood not only for these agents but also for vimses that cause hepatitis have intensified, the indications for transfusion have been reevaluated, and the use of blood products has become much more efficient. More carehil screening of donors, testing of all donated units, and a general awareness in the donor population have all contributed to a decreased risk from transfusion-contracted AIDS. 

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final stage of disease caused by infection with HIV. In this stage, the vims infection has severely affected the immune system, causing a depletion of CD4+ T-helper cells. AIDS is characterized by the manifestation of typical diseases caused by opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, CMV retinitis, candidiasis of the esophagus, cerebral toxoplasmosis), neurological manifestations, cachexia, or certain tumors (Kaposi sarcoma of the skin, B-cell lymphoma). 

However, several situations can be anticipated in which support of the immune system is required. These include congenital defects in the immune repertoire, acquired immune deficiencies such as in HIV infection, but also situations in which the immune system is compromised after treatment of patients, e.g., after radiation or chemotherapy. 

Immunity is the innate or acquired ability of a higher organism to successfully defend life against potentially harmful agents like infections or poisons. 

Syk and ZAP-70 are early intermediates in the transduction of signals from immune receptors, including the B- and T-cell recqrtors for antigen, activatory natural killer-cell receptors, the mast cell and basophil receptor for IgE, and the widely distributed receptors for the Fc portion of IgG. Immune receptors control checkpoints in lymphocyte development and serve to integrate the responses of innate and acquired immunity. 

Naturally acquired active immunity occurs when the person is exposed to a disease, experiences tiie disease, and tiie body manufactures antibodies to provide future... 

DISPLAY 54-1 Example of Naturally Acquired Active Immunity... 

Artificially acquired immunity against some diseases may require periodic booster injections to keep an adequate antibody level (or antibody titer) circulating in the blood. A booster injection is the administration of an additional dose of die vaccine to boost the production of antibodies to a level diat will maintain die desired immunity. The booster is given months or years after die initial vaccine and may be needed because die life of some antibodies is short. 

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