The immunological principles underlying vaccine-induced protection in the occupational health setting
Epidemiology and Health Sciences, Stopford Building, Manchester University Medical School, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
Abstract Protection against the large numbers of pathogenic microbes to which humans are constantly exposed is effected through external barriers (skin and mucus membranes), innate barriers (cellular components and soluble chemical mediators) and adaptive barriers (B and T lymphocytes). This article reviews the normal mechanisms employed to protect against these pathogenic microbes.
Keywords Extracellular pathogens; host defences; innate adaptive systems; intracellular pathogens; occupation
Correspondence to: David Baxter, Epidemiology and Health Sciences, Stopford Building, Manchester University Medical School, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK. e-mail: baxter{at}nhs.net