Current aspects of the physiopathology of the infectious process. II. Cybernetic elements in the pathogenetic structure of infectious diseases
Dragomirescu, M.; Buzinschi, S.
Revista de Igiena Bacteriologie Virusologie Parazitologie Epidemiologie Pneumoftiziologie. Bacteriologia Virusologia Parazitologia Epidemiologia 25(2): 65-72
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0376-4494 PMID: 6999587 Document Number: 164408
The authors discuss the applicability of general cybernetic principles (the theory of systems and self-regulated mechanisms based on inversed connections) to the pathophysiologic structure of infections. With reference to concrete examples they outline the following elements: the appartenance of the infectious process to the notion of system (as conceived in the theory of systems), the previsible character of the functional potential of the structured system in the components of infection, and the sequental correspondence between system dynamics and the dynamics of the infectious process. Starting from the mechanism of action of the main microbial toxins, the aptitude of the latter to act upon the functional code of the macroorganism, altering the cellular and supracellular self-regulated biosystems, is demonstrated. Finally, the practical implications of assimilating cybernetic processes in the pathophysiology of infectious diseases are analyzed.