IMMUNOLOGY OF THE PORCINE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

The gastrointestinal immune system is presented with a contrasting arr ay of antigens, ranging from harmless dietary components to highly pat hogenic microorganisms. The mucosal immune system has the ability to r ecognise different groups of antigens and has evolved a battery of res ponses from which an appropriate response may be orchestrated. The que stion as to how the mucosal immune system categorises antigens and sel ects a particular response is central to this process but it remains l argely unanswered. The solution to this question is likely to hold the key to the development of safe and effective mucosal vaccines as well as suggesting methods for the prevention and control of allergic resp onses. Enteric diseases resulting from antigens (microbial and dietary ) presented via the gastrointestinal tract are a major cause of morbid ity and mortality. In addition to being of substantial economic import ance, growing public awareness on animal welfare and food quality conf irms the urgent need for new methods of disease control.