Difference Between Acute and Chronic Inflammation

Definition

Acute Inflammation: Acute inflammation is the early (short-term) response of the body to adverse stimuli.

Chronic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is an inflammatory reaction that lasts for months or years.

Specificity

Acute Inflammation: Acute inflammation is not specific.

Chronic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is specific, it involves acquired immunity.

Etiology

Acute inflammation: Acute inflammation is part of the response of the body tissues to physical and chemical damages, pathogen invasion, tissue necrosis, etc.

Chronic inflammation: Chronic inflammation is part of the response of the body tissues to prolonged irritation of chemicals; foreign particles – dust, surgical thread, etc.; infection by microorganisms that cannot be overcome for a long time by the body – tuberculosis, syphilis, brucellosis.

Immune cells

Acute inflammation: The following immune cells are involved in the acute inflammation process: dendritic cells, Kupffer cells, histiocytes, resistant macrophages, mast cells.

Chronic inflammation: The following immune cells are involved in the chronic inflammation process: macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes.

Response

Acute inflammation: In acute inflammation develops the so-called “triple response of Lewis: (1) redness, (2) increased blood flow and (3) edema.

Chronic inflammation: The response in chronic inflammation includes fibrosis and angiogenesis.

Cardinal signs

Acute inflammation: The cardinal signs of acute inflammation are pain, heat, redness, and swelling.

Chronic inflammation: Chronic inflammation occurs without cardinal signs.