Question

Write a brief summary of innate immunity to mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in humans.

Answer 1

Innate immunity refers to nonspecific defence mechanisms that come into play immediately or within hours of an antigen's appearance in the body. It recognizes all types of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungal organisms, etc.

M. tuberculosis infection may be prevented by the innate immune system before the action of adaptive immune response. The innate immune cell involves in defence of M. tuberculosis are macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer cells. The immune response is immediate but the effectiveness and potency are limited.