Overview

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The constant struggle between pathogens and the human immune system has been posing a significant threat to our health for thousands of years. Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. These are typically caused by bacteria (intra- and extracellular), viruses, fungi, parasites (worms/helminths) and prions. Under normal circumstance, the immune response orchestrates a robust protection against these pathogens using both molecular and cellular mechanisms. This usually leads to direct or indirect inactivation of the infectious agent, so the disease symptoms may not appear. However, numerous pathogens have devised immune evasion strategies, which allow them to play ‘hide and seek’ with our immune system. The avoidance of human natural defences may result in host colonisation by a pathogen and thus an infection. This can manifest as disease when the infectious agent replicates and inflicts damage. In this course, you will learn about the different types of pathogens, their confrontation with human immune system, and the dramatic consequences of their evasive strategies.

Syllabus

Immune response to bacteria

In module one, you will explore the innate and adaptive mechanisms of defence against bacterial infections in the human host. As they differ, the responses to both intracellular and extracellular bacteria will be discussed. In particular, you will learn about the specific cell subsets that are involved and the molecules and mechanisms they deploy to provide protection against these pathogenic infections.

Viral immunity and evasion

In module two, we will explore both innate and adaptive mechanisms of defence against viral infections in the human host. The specific cellular and molecular immune mechanisms involved in this protection will be discussed. Finally, our experts will explain the plethora of strategies developed by the viruses to evade from our immune system and that ultimately allow them to survive and sometimes thrive in their mammalian host. Some examples will be discussed, including SARS-CoV-2.

Immunity against fungal infections

Module three of this course will explore in detail the immune mechanisms deployed by the mammalian host to combat this particular eukaryotic type of pathogen. In particular, you will discuss the role of specific cells and molecules involved and, using specific examples, you understand how our immune system responds to the various types of fungus its host encounters.

Immune responses to Leishmania parasites

In module four, you will explore the innate and adaptive immune responses to this neglected parasitic infection. The specific cells and molecules and their interactions will be explored. Using the different forms of the diseases, our expert will discuss how the parasite is able to use the immune system to evade destruction.

Malaria infection and immunity

Module five will investigate our immune response to this deadly parasite. Presented by our experts in the field, this module will cover the cells and molecules involved as well as the different phases of immune response deployed in the various phases of the parasite’s life cycle in the host. The module will also cover immune resistance to the clinical symptoms of the disease and will explain the difficulties encountered in the development of efficient prevention and treatment options.

Tuberculosis and human immunity

Module six, our last in the course, is dedicated to understanding tuberculosis. Led by our experts in the field, you will discover the symptomatic diversity of this bacterial infection, the primary cause of death worldwide resulting from a single pathogen. You will explore our immune response against this pathogen, the factors contributing to the ongoing tuberculosis epidemic and the immunopathology of the disease.