Nonspecific or innate immunity is the front line of host

defense against microorganisms in the gut and other sites

A fundamental mechanism used by a host to avoid microbial
infection is performed by the epithelial barriers, which exclude
most (>99%) proteins in the intestinal tract
Secretions provide another major form of nonspecific immunity
in the GI tract. For example:

the low pH of the stomach-- facilitates destruction of

pathogens, as well as of their toxins and immunogenic
macromolecules.
Bile acids and pancreatic secretions that contain
proteases such as trypsin and carboxypeptidase also can
function as protectants against microbial pathogens.
mucus provides a vehicle for antibacterial substances
(secretory immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin) and
prevents passage of large molecular weight materials
into enterocytes.

When a microbial invader overcomes nonspecific

immune defenses, a mammalian host can activate a
system that recognizes and then inactivates a foreign
material or antigen that is then removed or destroyed
Fundamental to this specific or acquired immune
system are capacities (1) to recognize minute
differences in the chemical structure of an
antigen and (2) to remember these structures
for long periods of time.
Antigens are typically high molecular weight (>
10,000) proteins or polysaccharides. Components of
bacteria, fungi, and viruses such as cell wall, flagella,
capsule, and toxins are excellent antigens and are
multivalent, that is, have more than one antigenic
determinant or recognition site.

Abbas et af. (1991) suggested that

specific responses could be divided into
(1) a cognitive phase, (2) an activation
phase, and (3) an effector phase
The cognitive phase refers to the binding
of foreign antigens to specific receptors
on lymphocytes that are present prior to
antigen stimulation.
The activation phase refers to the series
of events that is induced in lympho-cytes
as a consequence of specific antigen
recognition. Activation events include
proliferation, which leads to expansion of
antigen-specific lymphocytes and
differentiation from cognitive to effector
functions. Activation requires antigen as
well as helper or accessory signals
from another cell for a complete signal.
Finally, the effector phase represents the
active functional manifestations of
antigen recognition and activation.

The movement of high molecular weight

antigens from the gut lumen to the blood
circulation has been demonstrated
experimentally in humans and animals
Prior to uptake, the antigens must resist
proteolytic activity in the lumen and penetrate
the mucus/IgA layer to interact with the various
absorptive cell types.
Factors that disrupt mucosal barrier function
and cause extensive uptake include immature
gastrointestinal function, malnutrition,
inflammation, and immunoglobulin deficiencies
Macromolecules may be taken up by the gut by
at least two distinct mechanisms

Many food- and waterborne microbial agents can

colonize the GI tract and induce gastroenteritis.
Endogenous components or secreted products of
bacteria can cause a variety of toxic effects.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin and botulinum toxin
must survive ingestion and evade GI immunity in
the gut prior to inducing their specific toxic effects.
Mycotoxins are low molecular weight secondary
metabolites that are produced by various fungi and
frequently are found in foods. Because they resist
digestion and processing, mycotoxins can enter into
the intestinal tract; because of their size, they
evade normal GI immune mechanisms of protection.
Their toxic effects are variable and can include
cancer, impaired reproduction, and gastroenteritis.

Although foods contain a multitude of

proteins, very few of these can trigger IgEmediated food allergies.
Typical food allergens are naturally
occurring water-soluble proteins that are
heat and acid stable and resist digestion.
Taylor (1992) has noted that, with the
exception of cows milk proteins and egg
proteins, most allergenic proteins in foods
are of plant or marine origin.

When exogenous chemicals interact with

lymphoid tissue, immune homeostasis might be
disrupted and induce undesirable immunotoxic
effects such as:

(1) immunosuppression,
(2) uncontrolled proliferation,
(3) impaired host resistance,
(4) allergy,
(5) autoimmunity

Chemicals that are potentially immunotoxic in

the gut might be found among natural
components, additives, growth promoters,
animal drugs, and various contaminants

Infeksi saluran pencernaan

sering terjadi pada individu
yang kekurangan gizi
Kekurangan Energi Protein
merupakan penyebab
utama imunodefisiensi.
Specific immunologic
effects include thymic
atrophy, decreased spleen
weight, decreased T cell
counts, and impaired
production of cytokines,
thymic hormones, and
antibodies. Thus, both
cellular and humoral
immu- nity are affected.

Reduction or Elimination of Microbial

Pathogens
Ingestion of Probiotic Cultures
Immunostimulatory Properties of
Ingested Bacteria