Question

Describe the pathophysiology of acute inflammation induced by a viral infection. Suppose that the natural mechanism of acute inflammation was not successful in healing the tissue area damaged by the virus and necrotic patches developed in the lungs. Explain how inflammation could progress to necrosis.

Answer 1

Answer:

Inflammation is a biological response of the immune system triggered by a variety of factors, including pathogens, damaged cells and toxic compounds. These factors may cause acute and/or chronic inflammatory responses in the heart, pancreas, liver, kidney, lung, brain, intestinal tract and reproductive system, leading to tissue damage or disease.

Pathophysiology of acute inflammation induced by a viral infection - The disordered physiological processes associated with an inflammatory response, if induced by viral infection, arises by the virus entering and destroying the cells of the body. The healing process starts as soon as the body responds by releasing cytokines—proteins that promote inflammation. The acute inflammation process is rapid and severe but occurring over a short period of time.

The inflammatory response to viral infections is characteristically composed of mononuclear cells. The full development of this response is an immunologically specific event that is dependent on the presence of sensitized T lymphocytes.

how inflammation could progress to necrosis - Necrosis is the name given to unprogrammed death of cells and living tissue.

In this case when the inflammation is caused due to viral infection, the healing process or the cleanup of cell debris by phagocytes of the immune system is generally more difficult, as the disorderly death generally does not send cell signals which tell nearby phagocytes to engulf the dying cell. This lack of signalling makes it harder for the immune system to locate and recycle dead cells which have died through necrosis.

The release of intracellular content after cellular membrane damage is the cause of inflammation in necrosis.