title: The ontogeny of the gut mucosal immune system and the susceptibility to infections in infants of developing countries.
abstract: In this review we summarize data on the human gut mucosa associated lymphatic tissues as part of the common mucosal immune system. Its embryonal-fetal and post-natal ontogeny becomes severely distorted and compromised by mal-/undernutrition which is so prevalent in developing countries. Pathogenetic interdependencies exist between maternal-fetal undernutrition, the ontogeny of the immune system, constant antigenic stimulation of the mucosal immune system post-natally, and the 14 million deaths annually from infections in children below the age of 5 years in developing countries. A detailed knowledge of these interdependencies is required for effective prevention and treatment in an attempt to reduce the high morbidity and mortality rates of children in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Prindull
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003906:Developing Countries; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D007223:Infant; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000276:immunology