Colostrum is a nutrient and immunoglobulin rich fluid that is produced by the ewe shortly before parturition. Besides nutrients and immunoglobulins, colostrum also contains a wide variety of
Introduction The immune system has become adapted to ensure that ‘self’ cells are not subject to an immune attack. The body is able to do this because tolerance
Introduction A tumour is a swelling of part of the body caused by abnormal cell growth, this occurs when the normal cell division process becomes unregulated and cells
Introduction A parasite is an organism which lives on or in another organism called the host. The parasite needs the host to live, but the host gains no
Introduction Viruses are small particles which infect living cells; this makes them obligate intracellular parasites. They have no reproductive mechanisms of their own so instead must use host
Introduction Bacteria exist naturally on many biological surfaces, for example the skin or the lining of the intestines. Bacteria like these make up the body’s natural flora and
Introduction Any new-born animal is born from a sterile environment (e.g. a mother’s womb) into an environment which is filled with microbes and pathogens. Therefore it is important
What makes an ideal vaccine? How do they work? What are Adjuvants? Discover everything you need to know about a typical vaccination - what makes it great and
Introduction The two major components of the adaptive immune system are known as cellular and humoral immunity. For an effective immune system these two branches of the adaptive
Introduction The complement system or complement cascade as it is also known is a complex system of multiple proteins involved in inflammation and immunological response. The components of
Introduction Chronic inflammation is inflammation which has been of prolonged duration. It is the simultaneous occurrence of active inflammation, tissue destruction and attempts at repair. Chronic inflammation can
Acute inflammation is the immediate response to an inflammatory agent (such as a pathogen or foreign material) or necrotic cells/tissue caused by cell injury and death. It undergoes
Introduction Inflammation can be characterised by 5 main features (names in brackets are the Latin), these are: Swelling (tumour) Heat (calor) Redness (rubor) Pain (dolor) Loss of function
