|
Feature |
Acute Inflammation |
Chronic Inflammation |
|
Duration |
Short-term, typically days to weeks |
Long-term, lasting for months to years |
|
Onset |
Rapid onset |
Slow onset |
|
Cause |
Infections, injuries, or tissue damage |
Persistent infection, autoimmune disorders, or chronic irritants |
|
Cell Involvement |
Primarily neutrophils |
Mainly macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells |
|
Signs |
Redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function |
Less prominent signs; tissue fibrosis or scarring may occur |
|
Outcome |
Resolution, repair, or progression to chronic inflammation |
Tissue damage, fibrosis, and possible organ dysfunction |
|
Vascular Changes |
Vasodilation, increased permeability of blood vessels |
Angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) |
|
Histology |
Edema, neutrophils, exudates |
Lymphocytes, macrophages, fibrosis, and granulomas |
|
Examples |
Acute appendicitis, allergic reactions |
Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, atherosclerosis |