Category: Immunology

Relevant immunology information to a medical laboratory scientist and technologist

Complement pathway: Three cascades that are easy to follow

Posted on December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 by Stephen

The three pathways of the complement system are the classical pathway, alternative pathway and lectin pathway all leading to the activation of MAC.

Lymphoid System: The primary and secondary organs

Posted on December 7, 2019December 7, 2019 by Stephen

The primary lymphoid organs are thymus, Bursa Fabricius, and bone marrow while the secondary lymphoid organs are those that are encapsulated & and those that are non-capsulated

Humoral Immunity: What you should know!

Posted on December 6, 2019December 6, 2019 by Stephen

Humoral immunity is derived from the Latin word ‘humor’ meaning

The Complement System: A Brief Overview

Posted on December 5, 2019December 9, 2019 by Stephen

The complement system points to the heat-labile components of blood that contribute to the lysis of foreign pathogens that invade the blood

T Lymphocytes: Role in Cell-Mediated Immune Response

Posted on October 6, 2019October 6, 2019 by Stephen

T- Lymphocytes is a major class of lymphocytes whose precursors arise from the bone marrow then migrate and mature in the thymus of which they derive their name (Thymus derived lymphocytes). They are divided into functionally distinct populations which are T- helper cells (CD4+), cytotoxic cells (CD8+) and the T-regulatory cells (CD4+).

Cytokines: The 6 Mediators of Innate Immunity

Posted on September 29, 2019September 29, 2019 by Stephen

The cytokines that play a major role in the mediation of natural immunity include:

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha),
Interleukin 1,
Interleukin 10,
Interleukin 12,
Type 1 interferon (alpha and beta), and
Chemokines.

Antibodies: The 5 Types and Their Properties

Posted on September 20, 2019September 20, 2019 by Stephen

Antibodies are groups of proteins composed of between 82 to 96% polypeptide and 4 to 18% carbohydrate. They are present in the serum and tissue fluids of vertebrates. Some are curried on the cell surface where they act as receptors while others are free in the blood or lymph, referred to as the antibodies.

Acquired Immunity: What Are The 3 Key Characteristics?

Posted on September 18, 2019September 29, 2019 by Stephen

The major characteristics of acquired immunity include memory, specificity and recognition which makes it invaluable in protecting against recurrent infections.

Cytokines: A general overview

Posted on September 17, 2019September 29, 2019 by Stephen

Cytokine is a general name meaning ‘cell produce’. Cytokines are therefore small secreted proteins that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis normally produced due to an immune stimulus.

pregnancy test kit- a rapid diagnostic test device

Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits: How do they work?

Posted on September 4, 2019April 28, 2020 by Stephen

Rapid diagnostic test kits are devices that are used at

Phagocytosis

Posted on August 19, 2019September 29, 2019 by Stephen

The process of Phagocytosis involves taking the particulate matter into a cell. Different types of cells can phagocytose at times, however, there are specialized phagocytic cells in the body of mammals namely the large macrophages and the smaller polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Innate immunity: An overview

Posted on August 14, 2019September 29, 2019 by Stephen

Innate immunity can be defined as the non-specific immune defences that come in play in case of body invasion by an infectious agent.

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