INFECTIONS AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM - TOWARDS PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

The main role of the human immune system is to protect against infectious agents. The concept of immune deficiencies as rare conditions associated with multiple severe infections has changed to relatively common genetic variations, leading to minor changes mainly in the innate immunity and specific host-pathogen interactions. For example, molecular studies have identified polymorphisms associated with increased susceptibility to severe tuberculosis in children, herpes encephalitis, renal scar formation after urinary tract infections and adverse events after vaccination, and on the other hand, genetic-based resistance to the human immunodeficiency virus. It seems that we are approaching safer and more efficacious personalized medicine.