Smoking can impair the body’s first-line defense mechanisms, making it easier for pathogens to enter the lower respiratory tract. Smoking can damage the cilia (tiny hair-like structures) that line the respiratory tract and normally move mucus, which traps and removes pathogens (Rao et al., 2019). Smoking also decreases the amount of saliva produced, which can reduce the presence of protective antibodies and enzymes in the mouth. (Rao et al., 2019). As a result, pathogens can enter the respiratory tract more easily and spread to the lungs. Finally, smoking can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs, which can weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection.
The Formations of Tubercles
Tubercles are formed when the immune system responds to tuberculosis infection. Tubercles are made by a process called granulomatous inflammation, which is an intense inflammatory response to an infectious agent such as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria (Rao et al., 2019). Granulomatous inflammation is mediated by the adaptive immune system, specifically T-helper cells, macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, and B-cells (Rao et al., 2019). Hence, these cells can work together to form the tubercles, which are collections of immune cells, fibrin, and necrotic tissue.
Reflection on the Statement
This statement cannot be definitively proven true or false because there is no way to know how a novel biological agent created in a laboratory might interact with the human immune system. It is plausible that, given enough time, humans could develop natural immunity to such agents. However, there is also a possibility that the novel agent could remain unaffected by the human immune system, meaning that people would never develop natural immunity.
Consequences of the Shock Syndrome Toxin
Super-antigens, such as toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) produced by Staphylococcus aureus, are powerful toxins that can cause severe immune responses in an infected individual. These antigens are able to bypass the normal antigen-presenting cells in the body and directly bind to the T-cell receptor, leading to the massive activation of T-cells (Siddhardha et al., 2020). This overwhelming T-cell response releases cytokines, which are molecules that are involved in cell signaling and the regulation of the immune system. The excessive release of cytokines leads to a systemic inflammatory response, causing a wide range of symptoms including fever, rash, hypotension, and shock (Siddhardha et al., 2020). In some cases, the resulting inflammation and shock can be life-threatening and potentially fatal.
References
Rao, M., Ligeiro, D., Maeurer, M. (2019) Precision medicine in the clinical management of respiratory tract infections including multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: learning from innovations in immuno-oncology. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine 25(3), 233-241. Web.
Siddhardha B., Dyavaiah M., Syed A. (2020). Model Organisms for Microbial Pathogenesis, Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Drug Discovery. Springer.