Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, undergraduate students will be able to:
Define host–pathogen interaction and explain its significance in infectious disease outcomes.
Describe the major classes of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) and outline the basic strategies they use to invade and survive within the host.
Explain the components of the innate immune system and their roles in early detection and control of pathogens.
Discuss the mechanisms of adaptive immune responses, including antigen presentation, T-cell activation, B-cell responses, and immunological memory.
Identify key pathogen evasion strategies, such as antigenic variation, immune suppression, intracellular survival, and inhibition of antigen presentation.
Illustrate how host immune responses can both protect and cause pathology, including inflammation, immune-mediated tissue damage, and cytokine imbalance.
Analyze examples of specific host–pathogen interactions, linking pathogen mechanisms with corresponding immune responses.
Relate concepts of immunity and pathogen evasion to real-world applications, such as vaccine design, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infectious diseases.