Chronic Inflammation in Pathology

What is a common outcome of acute inflammation if the causative agent persists or recurs?

Which type of chronic inflammation is characterized by a specific microscopic feature, regardless of the cause?

What is the term for a type of chronic specific inflammation characterized by a collection of epitheliod cells, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and giant cells?

What is the characteristic feature of Langhans giant cells?

What is the main difference between chronic and acute inflammation?

What is the term for a type of giant cell that forms in response to a foreign body?

What is the primary function of neutrophils in acute inflammation?

Which type of granuloma is associated with unknown causes?

What type of cells are involved in chronic inflammation?

What is the characteristic cell of allergic and parasitic inflammation?

What is the process by which giant cells are formed?

What is the primary function of histiocytes in inflammation?

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation occurs when the causative agent persists or recurs, or if the body's resistance is low.
It can also start as a chronic condition from the beginning, e.g. Tuberculosis.

Characters of Chronic Inflammation

Vasodilation
Fluid exudate
Tissue necrosis and Fibrosis

Types of Chronic Inflammation

Non-Specific Chronic Inflammation

Usually follows acute inflammation, forming chronic abscesses and chronic pyelonephritis.
Characterized by chronic inflammatory cells, fibrosis, and vascular thickening, regardless of the cause.

Specific Chronic Inflammation (Granuloma)

Definition: A collection of epithelioid cells (specialized macrophages), lymphocytes, plasma cells, and giant cells.
Types of granuloma:
- Infective granuloma (e.g. Bilharziasis, Tuberculosis, Histoplasmosis, Leprosy)
- Foreign body granuloma
- Unknown cause (e.g. Sarcoidosis)
- Giant cell types: Langhans giant cells, Foreign body giant cell

Cells Involved in Inflammation

Acute Inflammation

Neutrophils (leukocytes)
Histiocyte
Monocyte

Chronic Inflammation

B-lymphocyte
T-lymphocyte
B-lymphocytes forming plasma cells that produce immunoglobulins
Eosinophils (seen in allergic and parasitic inflammation)
Basophils (seen in allergic reactions)
Mast cells

Functions of Cells

Neutrophils: Phagocytosis of microorganisms in acute inflammation
Eosinophils: Seen in allergic and parasitic inflammation
Giant cells: Formed by fusions of histiocytes and monocytes or repeated nuclear division without cytoplasmic division.

Learn about the causes and characteristics of chronic inflammation, including its relationship to acute inflammation and the role of the causative organism.