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Artificial Passive Immunization

المؤلف:  Barry Chess

المصدر:  Talaros Foundations In Microbiology Basic Principles 2024

الجزء والصفحة:  12th E , P502

2026-10-03

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The first attempts at passive immunization involved the transfusion of horse serum containing antitoxins to prevent tetanus and to treat patients exposed to diphtheria. Since then, antisera from animals have been largely replaced with products of human origin that function with various degrees of specificity. Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), sometimes called gamma globulin, contains immunoglobulin extracted from the pooled blood of a large group of human donors. The method of processing IVIG concentrates the antibodies to increase potency and eliminates potential pathogens (such as the hepatitis B and HIV viruses). It is a treatment of choice in preventing measles and hepatitis A and in replacing antibodies in immunodeficient patients. Most forms of IVIG are injected intra muscularly to minimize adverse reactions, and the protection they provide lasts 2 to 3 months.

A serum product called specific immune globulin (SIG) is derived from a more defined group of donors. SIG preparations are made with serum from patients who are in a hyperimmune state after being vaccinated or infected by pertussis, tetanus, chicken pox, and hepatitis B. These globulins are preferable to IVIG because they contain higher titers of specific antibodies obtained from a smaller pool of patients. Although useful for prophylaxis in per sons who may be exposed to infectious agents, these sera can be limited in availability.

When a human immune globulin is not available, antisera and antitoxins of animal origin can be effective. Sera produced in horses are available for diphtheria, botulism, rabies, and spider and snake bites. Unfortunately, horse antigens often stimulate allergies such as serum sickness or anaphylaxis (chapter 16). With the development of monoclonal therapies, many of these older sources are being re placed by pure antibody drugs that have been tailored to just one specific pathogen,  Although all of these passive immunities only last a relatively short time, they act immediately and can protect patients for whom no other useful medication or vaccine exists, such as immunocompromised patients who cannot be vaccinated.