Biomaterial Database

Pathogenesis of bacterial infections of the respiratory tract. 1995

J A Johnson

Bacteriology Department, East Surrey Hospital, England, UK.

The main function of the lung is gas exchange, which means that the respiratory mucosa is constantly exposed to noxious substances and potentially infective agents inhaled from the environment. Despite this, in health the number of bacteria in the upper respiratory tract (nose and pernasal tissue) is low and the lower (bronchopulmonary) respiratory tract is sterile. However, respiratory tract infections are common in humans, either due to malfunction of a complex array of defence mechanisms or because of the virulence of a particular microorganism. The pathogenesis of these infections is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D012141	Respiratory Tract Infections	Invasion of the host RESPIRATORY SYSTEM by microorganisms, usually leading to pathological processes or diseases.	Respiratory System Infections,Upper Respiratory Tract Infection,Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,Infections, Respiratory,Infections, Respiratory Tract,Infections, Upper Respiratory,Infections, Upper Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infections,Upper Respiratory Infections,Infection, Respiratory System,Infection, Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infection, Upper,Respiratory System Infection,Respiratory Tract Infection
D003674	Defense Mechanisms	Unconscious process used by an individual or a group of individuals in order to cope with impulses, feelings or ideas which are not acceptable at their conscious level; various types include reaction formation, projection and self reversal.	Mechanisms, Defense
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man