Inflammation

Inflammation: is a defensive reaction intended to neutralize, control, or eliminate the

offending agent and to prepare the injured site for repair.

inflammation ,is a nonspecific response (not dependent on a particular cause) that is meant
to serve a protective function. For example, inflammation may be observed at the site of a
bee sting, in a sore throat, in a surgical incision, and at the site of a burn. Inflammation also
occurs in cell injury events, such as strokes and myocardial infarctions.

Inflammation VS. Infection

Inflammation VS. Infection
Inflammation Infection
Can be existed without infectious exists when the infectious agent invade the
agent cell

Always present with infection Is not always present with inflammation

Systemic Response to Inflammation

The inflammatory response is often confined to the site, causing only local signs and
symptoms. However, systemic responses can also occur.

Fever is the most common sign of a systemic response to injury, most likely caused by
endogenous pyrogens (internal substances that cause fever)

Leukocytosis, an increase in the synthesis and release of neutrophils from bone marrow, may
occur to provide the body with greater ability to fight infection.

During this process, general, nonspecific symptoms develop, including malaise, loss of
appetite, aching, and weakness

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Causes of inflammation Physical Agents
Physical agents, including temperature extremes, radiation, electrical shock, and mechanical
trauma, can cause injury to the cells or to the entire body.
Chemical Agents
Chemical injuries are caused by poisons such as lye, which have a corrosive action on
epithelial tissue, or by heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic , or by drug.
Infectious Agents
Including viruses, bacteria, rickettsiae, mycoplasmas, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes.

Phases of inflammation

1. Inflammation phase ( Inflammatory Response)

2. Proliferation phase
3. Maturation phase

Inflammation phase ( Inflammatory Response): prepare the wound for healing , including
vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and leukocytic cellular infiltration and clot
formation

Proliferation phase : rebuilds the damaged structures and strengthens the wound .including
, fibroplasia/collagen formation, wound contracture, neovascularization and
epithelialization ,

Maturation phase : in which the collagen is remodeled from type III to type I and the
wound fully closes.

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 Inflammatory response

Mediators of the Inflammatory Response

Response Mediators
Early vasodilation Histamine
Prostaglandins
increase vascular dilations and permeability and attract Kinins
neutrophils to the area

Pain Bradykinin

General sequence of the Inflammatory Response, including

1. vasodilation and increased vascular permeability resulting in local heat and redness.
2. Migration of leukocytes to inflamed area to engulf foreign material
3. Plasma fluids, leukocytes, chemical mediators leak into inflamed area resulting in
swelling
4. pain is occurred related to the pressure of fluids or swelling on nerve endings and to
the irritation of nerve endings by chemical mediators (Bradykinin) released at the site.
5. Loss of function is most likely related to the pain and swelling, but the exact
mechanism is not completely known.
6. Fibrinogen in the leaked plasma fluid coagulates, forming fibrin for clot formation,
which serves to wall off the injured area and prevent the spread of infection.

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Inflammatory response resulting in five cardinal signs for inflammation, which include
1. redness,
2. heat,
3. swelling,
4. pain,
5. loss of function.

Classification of inflammation

1. Acute inflammation
2. Subacute inflammation falls between acute and chronic inflammation.
3. Chronic inflammation
Acute inflammation Chronic inflammation

usually lasts less than 2 weeks present for many months or years
subsides after the causative agent develops when the injurious agent persists and
is removed the acute response is perpetuated

Begins immediately after injury may begin insidiously

serves a protective function. does not serve a beneficial and protective
function

The injured tissues return to Considerable scarring may occur, resulting in

normal or near normal structure permanent tissue damage.
and function.