The immune system is pivotal in defending against pathogens but can also contribute to disease through hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. This book examines the pathological processes involving immune responses and inflammation. It explains normal immune mechanisms and how their dysregulation leads to conditions such as autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and chronic inflammatory states. Topics include antigen presentation, cytokine networks, and the role of immune cells in tissue injury. Diagnostic tests like immunohistochemistry, serology, and flow cytometry are integrated into discussions. The interplay between inflammation and healing, as well as the impact of immunopathology in infectious and neoplastic diseases, is also emphasized.
Kojo Owusu specializes in immune system disorders and the pathological processes of inflammation, combining immunology with clinical pathology. His lab investigates inflammatory mediators and their roles in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. He has authored several textbook chapters and is a frequent keynote speaker on immunopathological mechanisms. His applied work also supports therapeutic development in immune modulation. Key interests include hypersensitivity reactions, granulomatous inflammation, and tissue immunology.