Foundations in

Microbiology
Sixth Edition
Chapter 14
Nonspecific Host
Defenses
Lecture PowerPoint to accompany
Talaro
Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
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Defense Mechanisms of the Host
To protect the body against pathogens, the
immune system relies on a multilevel network of
physical barriers, immunologically active cells,
and a variety of chemicals.
first line of defense any barrier that blocks invasion
at the portal of entry nonspecific
second line of defense protective cells and fluids;
inflammation and phagocytosis nonspecific
third line of defense acquired with exposure to
foreign substance; produces protective antibodies and
creates memory cells specific
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Physical or Anatomical Barriers:
First Line of Defense
Skin and mucous membranes of respiratory, urogenital,
eyes and digestive tracts
outermost layer of skin is composed of epithelial cells
compacted, cemented together and impregnated with
keratin; few pathogens can penetrate if intact
flushing effect of sweat glands
damaged cells are rapidly replaced
mucous coat impedes attachment and entry of bacteria
blinking and tear production
stomach acid
nasal hair traps larger particles
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Nonspecific Chemical Defenses
Sebaceous secretions
Lysozyme, an enzyme that hydrolyzes the cell wall of
bacteria, in tears
High lactic acid and electrolyte concentration in sweat
Skins acidic pH
Hydrochloric acid in stomach
Digestive juices and bile of intestines
Semen contains antimicrobial chemical.
Vagina has acidic pH.
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Genetic Defenses
Some hosts are genetically immune to the
diseases of other hosts.
Some pathogens have great specificity.
Some genetic differences exist in
susceptibility.
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Structure and Function of the Organs
of Defense and Immunity
The study of the bodys second and third
lines of defense is called immunology.
Functions of a healthy immune system:
1. Constant surveillance of the body
2. Recognition of foreign material
3. Destruction of entities deemed to be foreign

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Immune System
Large, complex, and diffuse network of
cells and fluids that penetrate into every
organ and tissue
Four major subdivisions of immune
system are:
1. Reticuloendothelial system (RES)
2. Extracellular fluid (ECF)
3. Bloodstream
4. Lymphatic system

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Reticuloendothelial System (RES)
Network of connective tissue fibers that
interconnects other cells and meshes with the
connective tissue network surrounding organs
Inhabited by phagocytic cells mononuclear
phagocyte system macrophages ready to
attack and ingest microbes that passed the first
line of defense
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Origin, Composition, and Functions
of the Blood
Whole blood consists of plasma and blood
cells red blood cells and white blood cells.
Serum is the liquid portion of the blood after a
clot has formed-minus clotting factors.
Plasma 92% water, metabolic proteins,
globulins, clotting factors, hormones and all
other chemicals and gases to support normal
physiological functions
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White Blood Cells
Neutrophils- 55-90% - lobed nuclei with lavender
granules; phagocytes
Eosinophils 1-3% - orange granules and bilobed
nucleus; destroy eucaryotic pathogens
Basophils, mast cells 0.5% - constricted nuclei, dark
blue granules; release potent chemical mediators
Lymphocytes 20-35% - large nucleus B (humoral
immunity) and T cells (cell-mediated immunity)
involved in the specific immune response
Monocytes, macrophages 3-7%- large nucleus;
phagocytic
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Lymphatic System
1. Provides an auxiliary route for return of
extracellular fluid to the circulatory
system
2. Acts as a drain-off system for the
inflammatory response
3. Renders surveillance, recognition, and
protection against foreign material
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Lymphatic Fluid
Lymph is a plasma-like liquid carried by
lymphatic circulation
Formed when blood components move out
of blood vessels into extracellular spaces
Made up of water, dissolved salts, 2-5%
proteins
Transports white blood cells, fats, cellular
debris and infectious agents
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Lymphatic Vessels
Lymphatic capillaries permeate all parts of
the body except the CNS.
Thin walls easily permeated by extracellular
fluid which is then moved through
contraction of skeletal muscles
Functions to return lymph to circulation;
flow is one-direction-toward the heart-
eventually returning to blood stream
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Lymphoid Organs and Tissues
Classified as primary and secondary
Primary lymphoid organs sites of lymphocytic
origin and maturation thymus and bone marrow
Secondary lymphoid organs and tissues
circulatory-based locations such as spleen and
lymph nodes; collections of cells distributed
throughout body tissues skin and mucous
membranes SALT, GALT, MALT
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Lymphoid Organs
Thymus high rate of growth and activity
until puberty, then begins to shrink; site of T-
cell maturation
Lymph nodes - small, encapsulated, bean-
shaped organs stationed along lymphatic
channels and large blood vessels of the thoracic
and abdominal cavities
Spleen structurally similar to lymph node;
filters circulating blood to remove worn out
RBCs and pathogens

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Actions of the Second Line of
Defense
Recognition
Inflammation
Phagocytosis
Interferon
Complement

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Recognition
Protein receptors within cell membrane of
macrophages, called Toll-like receptors
Detect foreign molecules and signal the
macrophage to produce chemicals which:
stimulate an inflammatory response
(nonspecific)
promote the activity of B and T cells (specific)
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Inflammatory Response
Classic signs and symptoms characterized by:
Redness increased circulation and vasodilation in
injured tissue in response to chemical mediators and
cytokines
Warmth heat given off by the increased blood
flow
Swelling increased fluid escaping into the tissue as
blood vessels dilate-edema; WBCs, microbes,
debris and fluid collect to form pus; helping prevent
spread of infection
Pain stimulation of nerve endings
Possible loss of function


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Insert figure 14.13
Events in inflammation
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Unique Characteristics of
Leukocytes
Diapedesis migration of cells out of blood
vessels into the tissues
Chemotaxis migration in response to
specific chemicals at the site of injury or
infection

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Fever
Initiated by circulating pyrogens which reset the
hypothalamus to increase body temperature; signals
muscles to increase heat production and
vasoconstriction
exogenous pyrogens products of infectious agents
endogenous pyrogens liberated by monocytes,
neutrophils, and macrophages during phagcytosis;
interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
Benefits of fever:
inhibits multiplication of temperature-sensitive
microorganisms
impedes nutrition of bacteria by reducing the available iron
increases metabolism and stimulates immune reactions and
protective physiological processes
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Phagocytes and Phagocytosis
3 main types of phagocytes:
1. Neutrophils general-purpose; react early to
bacteria and other foreign materials, and to
damaged tissue
2. Eosinophils attracted to sites of parasitic
infections and antigen-antibody reactions
3. Macrophages derived from monocytes;
scavenge and process foreign substances to
prepare them for reactions with B and T
lymphocytes
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Phagocytosis
General activities of phagocytes:
1. To survey tissue compartments and
discover microbes, particulate matter and
dead or injured cells
2. To ingest and eliminate these materials
3. To extract immunogenic information from
foreign matter
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Interferon
Small protein produced by certain white blood
cells and tissue cells
alpha interferon- lymphocytes and macrophages
beta interferon fibroblasts and epithelial cells
gamma interferon T cells
Produced in response to viruses, RNA, immune
products, and various antigens
Bind to cell surfaces and induce expression of
antiviral proteins
Inhibit expression of cancer genes

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Complement
Consists of 26 blood proteins that work in
concert to destroy bacteria and viruses
Complement proteins are activated by cleavage.
Classical pathway activated by the presence of
antibody bound to microorganism
Alternative pathway begins when complement
proteins bind to normal cell wall and surface
components of microorganisms
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