Host Defenses against Viral Disease

Abstract

RESISTANCE to and recovery from viral disease depend on a complex interaction of viral and host mechanisms in which the species, age and prior immune status of the host are as critical as the strain, inoculum size and portal of entry of the virus.^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11} The anti-viral defenses mounted by the host may act either directly on viruses or indirectly through an effect on the infected cell and hence on viral replication (Table 1). They can act at the target organ to promote recovery, at the portal of entry to abet resistance to reinfection, or between these sites to prevent spread . . .