Acute | Chronic | |
---|---|---|
Causative agent | Bacterial pathogens, injured tissues | Persistent acute inflammation due to non-degradable pathogens, viral infection, persistent foreign bodies, or autoimmune reactions |
Major cells involved | neutrophils (primarily), basophils (inflammatory response), and eosinophils (response to helminth worms and parasites), mononuclear cells (monocytes, macrophages) | Mononuclear cells (monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells), fibroblasts |
Primary mediators | Vasoactive amines, eicosanoids (prostaglandins/leucotrienes | IFN-γ and other cytokines, growth factors, reactive oxygen species, hydrolytic enzymes |
Onset | Immediate | Delayed |
Duration | Few days | Up to many months, or years |
Outcomes | Resolution, abscess formation, chronic inflammation | Tissue destruction, fibrosis, necrosis |
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