Consistent evidence of growth costs is also lacking for some well-studied morphological defences [1], [16], [17].
The intrinsic ability of this bacterium to resist strongly against stressing environments may allow the bacterium to persist in hospital environments and to survive host defences [1], [2].
For instance, severe infections with C. albicans or A. fumigatus may be important causes of morbidity and mortality among individuals ingesting antibiotics which enhance the invasiveness of these and other pathogens by altering the normal flora and by depressing the host defences [1], [24].
Both JA and OPDA have been reported to activate Arabidopsis defences [19], [22].
This increase in ABA levels aids the infection process by suppressing basal defences [32], [34].
Secondly, arthropod ectoparasites have components in their saliva that downregulate the host's immune defences [24].
In some cases these specialists are also undeterred by induced defences [16].
Previous work has already put forward the potential role of autoimmune disorders in the evolution of immune defences [6] [8], [24].
Circadian rhythm plays a role in pathogen defence [ 13, 14, 34, 35].
In rats used as a model of diabetic cardiomyopathy, TETA causes cardiac regeneration [ 23], reversal of LV dysfunction [ 28], and improved antioxidant defences [ 23, 29].
Insects are not endowed with an adaptive immune system and must rely entirely on innate immune mechanisms or externally applied immune defences [ 1, 2].
