Infection

Infection is invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections occur in any part of the body, and can be localized or systemic (spread throughout the body). The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast or fungi.

Microbes and human diseases

Infection is the invasion or colonization of the body by pathogenic organisms. DISEASE results when this results in a change of state of health. The manner by which the disease develops is called PATHOGENESIS

Infectious disease is by far the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. They range from common cold to AIDS. No system of the body escapes infection

Man is only one species in a world inhabited by many different flora and fauna. Like all other living organisms, we inhabit an ecological niche in which we survive. Micro-organisms could be the greatest threat to our survival.

Micro-organisms are organisms which share the property of being sub-microscopic. They existed long before man and we had to adapt to live in an environment where they are far more abundant. Many micro-organisms do not normally cause disease in man, existing in a state of either COMMONALISM, where there is little or no benefit or harm to man, or in MUTUALISM, where there is some benefit gained by both partners. This non-harmful balance exists when the immune system works well, but these same organisms cause infection when the latter fails. This changed property is shared by many other micro-organisms which can cause infectious disease in the immunocompetent individual, so-called PATHOGENS. These pathogens fall into five main groups:

Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Protozoa
Helminthes

Despite extensive use of antibiotics and vaccination programmes, infectious diseases continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Widespread antibiotic resistance, the emergence of new pathogens in addition to resurgence of old ones, and lack of effective new therapeutics exacerbate the problems.

Role of Immunity in Infection

Innate and Acquired Immunity : Micro-organisms are ubiquitous. They are in the air we breathe and in/on the food we eat. Thus our epithelial surfaces (skin, respiratory tract, gastro-intestinal tract, genitourinary tract) are continuously exposed to micro-organisms. Disease occurs when micro-organisms invade epithelial surfaces. In view of our constant exposure to micro-organisms, it is surprising that we enjoy long infection-free periods and that infections are exception rather than rule. This resistance (immunity) of epithelial surfaces to invasion, is a characteristic which is present from birth, and is therefore called innate (natural) immunity.

Innate Immunity

This prevents entry of micro-organisms into tissues or, once they have gained entry, eliminates them prior to occurrence of disease.

Characteristics

Present from birth.
Non-specific - acts on many organisms and does not show specificity.
Does not become more efficient on subsequent exposure to same organisms.

Prevention of entry of organisms

Mechanical barriers at body surfaces, skin and mucous membranes - disruption leads to infection.
Antibacterial substances in secretions, lysozyme, lactoferrin, low pH of stomach contents.
Prevention of stasis.
Non-specific elimination of micro-organisms
Phagocytosis - ingestion and killing of micro-organisms by specialized cells (phagocytes)-Phagocytes
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils)
Mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes, macrophages).

Acquired Immunity (adaptive Immunity/ specific Immunity)

This type of immunity occurs in response to infection called ADAPTIVE as the immune system must adapt itself to previously unseen molecules. Following recovery from certain infections with a particular micro-organism, individuals will never again develop infection with the same organism, but can become infected with other micro-organisms, i.e. he/she is protected against one micro-organism. This form of protection is called IMMUNITY and an individual is said to be IMMUNISED against that organism. The induction of immunity by infection or with a vaccine is called ACTIVE IMMUNITY.

Historically it is shown that a non-immune individual can be made immune by transferring serum or lymphocytes from an immune individual - PASSIVE IMMUNITY

It is observed that the immune system responds to micro-organisms but not to its own cells and that the system knows that the body is infected previously with a particular organism.

Immunity is mediated by the IMMUNE SYSTEM, which responds to infection by mounting an IMMUNE RESPONSE. An immune response must:

1. RECOGNISE a micro-organism as foreign (non-self) as distinct from self

2. RESPOND to a micro-organism by production of specific antibodies and specific lymphocytes.

3. MEDIATE elimination of micro-organisms. ANTIGEN is applied to a substance which reacts with antibody.

The Cells of the Immune System

1. The common origin of the cells of the immune system is from the bone marrow

2. The cells of the immune system :

B and T lymphocytes
Plasma cells
Macrophages
Dendritic cells

3. Other effector cells like :

Neutrophil polymorphs
Eosinophil polymorphs
Mast cells

The major cell types in the immune system are lymphocytes and phagocytic/dendritic cells.

1. Lymphocytes

There are two broad sub-types of lymphocytes. These are known as B cells and T cells. All of them are derived from the bone marrow but T cells undergo a process of maturation in thymus gland. B and T cells circulate in the blood and through body tissues. B cells give rise to plasma cells which secrete immunoglobulin (antibodies). T cells also respond to antigens.

2. Macrophages and dendritic cells

These cells are derived from the bone marrow and have a variety of functions in immune response :

Phagocytosis
Secretion of cytokines
Antigen presentation

Antibodies - What Are They ?

Antibodies (Immunoglobulins, abbreviated Ig) are proteins. They are unique molecules, derived from the 'immunoglobulin supergene'. There are 5 classes ('isotypes') of Ig; IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD and IgE, plus 4 subtypes of IgG (IgG1-4) and 2 of IgA (IgA1, IgA2).

Antibodies - Where Are they made of ?

Antibodies are synthesised by lymphocytes. Lymphocytes may be T (= Thymus processed), or B (= bone marrow processed). Antibodies are made by B lymphocytes

Antibodies exist free in body fluids, e.g. serum and membrane bound to B lymphocytes.

Early Immune responses (4-96 hrs)

The immediate defenses are available instantly or within an hour or so of invasion.

The role of macrophages

The secondary effects of recognition of microbial pathogens via either the innate carbohydrate receptors or the complement receptors is to active macrophages to synthesise cytokines. In particular TNFalpha, IL12 and IL1 play an important role in the second phase response. TNFalpha is critical in activating local vascular endothelium.

Natural Killer (NK) cells

These lymphocytes lack the clonally variable antigen specific receptors of T and B cells. They are part of the innate immune system and we know they play an important role in viral infections. They are activated by the cytokines IL12 and IFNalpha/beta.

Interferon

Interferon alpha/beta is produced by a variety of cells in response to viral infection. They have an important role in limiting viral infection in the early phase (before specific immunity is available). They also potently activate NK cells.

Role of Noni in infection

1) Noni is a powerful immune enhancer. It helps to eradicate the infection in our body by its property to stimulate the immune system. By stimulating body immune system, Noni releases various mediators interleukin (IL12 and IL1), interferon and also helps in releasing phagocytes cells by stimulating RE system and helps in the process of destroying those microbes by phagocytosis process with help of stimulating body auto immune power.

2) Noni contains various nutraceuticals that have antimicrobial, anti viral, anti parasitic, anti histamine and anti inflammatory effect. Those are :

Scopoletin- analgesic, anti inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.
Anthraquinone: Controls infectious bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Salmonella, etc.

Recommended Dosage

Divine Noni Concentrate

5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then

10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then

15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.