Do white blood cells adapt to fight infections?

Question

I know there are different types of wbc, but are they able to change? Viruses and bacteria become more resistant to antiobiotics so I wondered if the blood cells can do the same.

Thanks Favorite Ninja....I was hoping you'd answer...which of course you no doubt figured out ( because you're clever). Does this mean I am a will-of-the-wisp as well as flibbertigibbet?

Answer 1

Absolutely. As bacteria and viruses change their protein components change. The white blood cells learn to recognise foreign material and will then produce specific antibodies that target that foreign material.

This is why we are all able to fight infections when we may not have ever experienced that particular infection before.

However, some viruses and bacteria develop particular strategies to bypass these defences.

Immunology is a fascinating but incredibly complex field actually.

Try this link for some basics if you're feeling adventurous:

http://www.rhodes.edu/biology/glindquester/viruses/immunity.html

Answer 2

I was planning to, ummmm, say the same thing as the Last Ninja. But since he answered first, I will just say....yea, that's right.

I am putting you in quite a dilemma, here....how are you ever going to decide who gets best answer - Ninja or me?

Answer 3

Good question, but I think maybe a biologist or a doctor could better answer this....I have no idea.
Would be great if that would happen, would solve a lot of problems.

Answer 4

many responses to infection are to non-specific microbial components known as pathogen assocated molecular patterns e.g. LPS variations (e.g. multidrug resistant bacteria) are easily dealt with

check out major histocompatibility complex

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Histocompatibility_Complex

Answer 5

Yes they do , unless you have some sort of auto immune disease such as lupus, or fybromyalgia or worse Lukemia

Answer 6

youknow thats a good question. i should look that up to find out if they really do.