chronic inflammatory response to antigenic stimulus +
chronic inflammatory response to non-antigenic stimulus +
complement activation +
encapsulation of foreign target +
granuloma formation +
The formation of nodular inflammatory lesions, usually small or granular, firm, persistent, well-structured, and containing compactly grouped T lymphocytes and modified phagocytes such as epithelioid cells, giant cells, and other macrophages. Granuloma formation represents a chronic inflammatory response initiated by various infectious and noninfectious agents. The center of a granuloma consists of fused macrophages, which can become necrotic.