VET356 Principles of Immunity and Disease

Principles of Immunity and Disease is an integration of the disciplines of immunology, general pathology and medical genetics. This is the veterinary students' first systematic approach to the defense against infections and the development of disease. Principles of Immunity and Disease is essential to be able to understand infection biology, clinical and pathological diagnostics, therapy, immune prophylaxis and breeding strategies against disease.

The subject is organized in the following parts:

• Medical genetics
• General pathology
• Immunology

Connection with past and future subjects:

A general introduction to genetics is given in Level 1. Immunology is also briefly introduced in Level 1. In Principles of Immunity and Disease immunology, general pathology and disease genetics are taught in an integrated form. Emphasis is placed on drawing lines for previous teaching and including examples from Level 1, e.g. VET351.

The material from Principles of Immunity and Disease will be an absolutely essential prerequisite for further studies at Level 2 and in clinical teaching.

Knowledge objectives:

After completing the teaching, the student must:

• Have acquired a basic understanding of disease development and disease manifestation and laid a foundation for a deeper understanding of the clinical disciplines. Have good knowledge in immunology, general pathology and medical genetics.
• Explain how the cells of the immune system function in the defense against infections.
• Recognize morphological manifestations and understand functional changes in hereditary, degenerative, circulatory inflammatory diseases and be able to explain underlying mechanisms.
• Explain the genetic basis for immune response, disease resistance and diseases with hereditary predisposition.
• Describe changes that are characteristic of central disease processes in histological sections and make a morphological diagnosis.
• Understand how information about inherited and acquired mutations can be used to optimize treatment.

Skills objectives:

• Students should be able to describe changes that are characteristic of central disease processes in histological sections and make a morphological diagnosis.