Why is Cell-Mediated Immunity Important in Epidemiology?
Cell-mediated immunity is critical for controlling and eliminating infections caused by intracellular pathogens such as _viruses_, _certain bacteria_, and _parasites_. It is also essential in the body's defense against _cancer cells_. Understanding this type of immunity helps epidemiologists in several ways:
1. Disease Control and Prevention: By studying cell-mediated immunity, epidemiologists can develop better strategies for controlling the spread of infectious diseases. 2. Vaccine Development: Many vaccines aim to elicit a robust cell-mediated immune response to provide long-lasting protection. 3. Outbreak Management: Knowledge of cell-mediated immunity aids in understanding how diseases spread and how the immune system responds, which is crucial in managing outbreaks.
