Recent advances and future prospects for the use of acute phase proteins as markers of disease in animals

Animals undergoing external or internal challenge to their state of health mount a vigorous response including activation of both the innate and acquired immune systems. The acquired immune system leads eventually to the development of specific cellular and humoral immune responses but at the time of the initial challenge the survival of the host depends on the ability of the innate responses to combat the causes of disease. Among the systems evolved to contribute PLENARY LECTURE