Milan Buc, Mária Bucová
Immune response reactions are divided into mechanisms of natural and adaptive immunity, respectively. The natural immunity is phylogenetic older and is characterized by a uniform response to any intruder; the 2nd second typical characteristics is its immediate response, the mechanisms of natural immunity defend an organism since the very first second of a danger. The defence mechanisms of natural immunity are numerous; acute phase proteins belong to those of the most important. They have various activities by which contribute to germs destruction, they reduce tissue damage and help its regeneration. A measurement of acute phase response has been used in the clinical praxis as a general indicator of health or a degree of disease severity or a prognostic marker.