Symposium: “Immunological Problems in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology”:Opening Remarks

Abstract

During the last few decades modern immunology has grown into a completely new branch of medicine. Present-day immunological research is concentrated on establishing the site and mechanism of antibody production, on the structure and biological activity of antibodies and on the cellular and molecular basis of immunity. The organism is exposed to the influence of its environment. Various kinds of infections, antigens and allergens invade the mucous membrane and skin. We meet ‘foreign’ materials of an antigenic or allergenic nature from the first breath and swallow to the last, that is, from birth to death. Therefore throughout our life the recognition of these ‘self and ‘non-self materials is of basic importance. The homeostasis is based on a well organized defence mechanism, which defends the organism whether or not those ’non-self materials are of an infectious nature.