Host defense mechanisms with special reference to chemokines and viral infections

An important role for the mammalian body is to guard against infection by pathogenic micro-organisms. There are 5 main classes of pathogens, namely, viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and worms. The complex relationships between these pathogenic micro-organisms and the vertebrate host are perhaps most clearly understood for viruses. The survival of viruses depends on the survival of susceptible hosts. In recent years, chemokines have been shown to play an integral role in the recruitment of cells to sites of infection, thus mediating the healing process. This review will provide an overview of immune responses with reference to viral infections and chemokines.