Passive immunity: Difference between revisions

Passive immunity
	Antitoxin diphtheria.jpg
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Latest revision as of 02:47, 11 December 2024

Type of immunity acquired by the transfer of antibodies

Passive immunity is a form of immunity that occurs when antibodies are transferred from one individual to another. This type of immunity provides immediate protection against disease, but it is temporary, as the antibodies are eventually degraded and not replaced. Passive immunity can be acquired naturally or artificially.

Types of Passive Immunity[edit]

Natural Passive Immunity[edit]

Natural passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from mother to child. This can happen in two main ways:

Transplacental Transfer: During pregnancy, maternal antibodies are transferred to the fetus through the placenta. This provides the newborn with protection against infections during the early months of life.
Breastfeeding: Antibodies, particularly IgA, are present in breast milk and can provide additional protection to the infant against gastrointestinal infections.

Artificial Passive Immunity[edit]

Artificial passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from an external source. This can be achieved through:

Antiserum or Antitoxin Administration: Antibodies are collected from the serum of immune individuals or animals and administered to a non-immune person. For example, diphtheria antitoxin is derived from horse serum and used to treat diphtheria infections.

Administration of diphtheria antitoxin derived from horse serum

Monoclonal Antibodies: These are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies. They can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system's attack on cells.

Applications of Passive Immunity[edit]

Passive immunity is used in several clinical situations:

Post-exposure Prophylaxis: After exposure to certain diseases, such as rabies or hepatitis B, passive immunity can provide immediate protection.
Immunocompromised Patients: Individuals with weakened immune systems may receive passive immunity to help fight infections.
Treatment of Acute Infections: In some cases, passive immunity is used to treat acute infections, such as tetanus or botulism.

Advantages and Disadvantages[edit]

Advantages[edit]

Provides immediate protection against pathogens.
Useful in individuals who cannot produce an adequate immune response.

Disadvantages[edit]

Temporary protection, as antibodies are eventually degraded.
Risk of allergic reactions or serum sickness, especially with animal-derived antibodies.

Also see[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Passive Immunity: Transient Protection =
+{{Short description|Type of immunity acquired by the transfer of antibodies}}
+{{Infobox medical condition
+| name = Passive immunity
+| image = Antitoxin diphtheria.jpg
+| caption = Diphtheria antitoxin, an example of passive immunity
+| field = Immunology
+}}
-Passive immunity refers to the process by which individuals gain temporary protection against diseases through the transfer of antibodies produced by another human or animal. This article provides an in-depth look at the nature of passive immunity, its sources, duration, and its use in clinical settings.
+'''Passive immunity''' is a form of [[immunity]] that occurs when antibodies are transferred from one individual to another. This type of immunity provides immediate protection against disease, but it is temporary, as the antibodies are eventually degraded and not replaced. Passive immunity can be acquired naturally or artificially.
-== Overview ==
+==Types of Passive Immunity==
-[[File:Neonatal tetanus 6374.jpg|thumb|Maternal antibodies being passed to an infant.]]
-Passive immunity involves the direct transfer of active humoral immunity in the form of ready-made antibodies, from one individual to another. Unlike active immunity, where the individual's own immune system is activated to produce antibodies, passive immunity grants immediate, but temporary, protection.
+===Natural Passive Immunity===
+Natural passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from mother to child. This can happen in two main ways:
-<youtube>
+* '''Transplacental Transfer''': During pregnancy, maternal antibodies are transferred to the fetus through the placenta. This provides the newborn with protection against infections during the early months of life.
-title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+* '''Breastfeeding''': Antibodies, particularly [[IgA]], are present in breast milk and can provide additional protection to the infant against gastrointestinal infections.
-movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/P6ioHoI-VZ4
-&rel=1
-embed_source_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/P6ioHoI-VZ4
-&rel=1
-wrap = yes
-width=750
-height=600
-</youtube>
-== Sources of Passive Immunity ==
+===Artificial Passive Immunity===
-The sources of passive immunity can be natural or artificial.
+Artificial passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from an external source. This can be achieved through:
-=== Natural Passive Immunity ===
+* '''Antiserum or Antitoxin Administration''': Antibodies are collected from the serum of immune individuals or animals and administered to a non-immune person. For example, [[diphtheria antitoxin]] is derived from horse serum and used to treat diphtheria infections.
-Natural passive immunity occurs during pregnancy, where antibodies are passed from the maternal bloodstream to the fetus through the placenta. This provides the newborn with protection against infections in the early months of life. Breast milk also contains antibodies that contribute to passive immunity in infants.
-=== Artificial Passive Immunity ===
+[[File:Administration of Diphtheria Antitoxin from Horse Serum.jpg|thumb|Administration of diphtheria antitoxin derived from horse serum]]
-Artificial passive immunity is provided by the administration of serum or immunoglobulin from an immunized individual to a non-immunized one, and it is used to prevent or treat diseases.
-== Mechanism of Action ==
+* '''Monoclonal Antibodies''': These are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies. They can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system's attack on cells.
-[[File:Immunité passive Barrière intestinale.jpg|thumb|500px|Illustration of antibodies binding to antigens to neutralize them.]]
+==Applications of Passive Immunity==
+Passive immunity is used in several clinical situations:
-Passive immunity works by introducing antibodies, rather than antigens, to an individual’s immune system. These antibodies recognize and bind to pathogens, marking them for destruction or neutralizing them directly.
+* '''Post-exposure Prophylaxis''': After exposure to certain diseases, such as rabies or hepatitis B, passive immunity can provide immediate protection.
+* '''Immunocompromised Patients''': Individuals with weakened immune systems may receive passive immunity to help fight infections.
+* '''Treatment of Acute Infections''': In some cases, passive immunity is used to treat acute infections, such as tetanus or botulism.
-== Duration and Efficacy ==
+==Advantages and Disadvantages==
-The protection offered by passive immunity is effective but short-lived, usually lasting only a few weeks to months. The body does not retain the memory of the antibodies once they are degraded, hence the protection is not lasting.
-== Clinical Applications ==
+===Advantages===
-Passive immunity is used in several clinical scenarios:
+* Provides immediate protection against pathogens.
+* Useful in individuals who cannot produce an adequate immune response.
-* To provide immediate protection to individuals exposed to a recent outbreak or to a high-risk pathogen.
+===Disadvantages===
-* In the treatment of certain diseases, such as immunodeficiencies, where patients cannot produce sufficient antibodies on their own.
+* Temporary protection, as antibodies are eventually degraded.
-* As post-exposure prophylaxis against diseases like hepatitis B, rabies, and certain types of poisoning.
+* Risk of allergic reactions or serum sickness, especially with animal-derived antibodies.
-== Challenges and Considerations ==
+==Also see==
-While passive immunity can be lifesaving, it has limitations. It may cause allergic reactions, and there is a potential for the transmission of blood-borne pathogens when serum is used. Moreover, the introduction of external antibodies can sometimes suppress the recipient’s active immunity.
+* [[Active immunity]]
+* [[Immunization]]
+* [[Antibody]]
+* [[Immune system]]
-== Conclusion ==
+{{Immunology}}
-Passive immunity remains a crucial component of preventive medicine and therapeutics. Ongoing research aims to enhance the safety and efficacy of passive immunization strategies.
 [[Category:Immunology]]
-[[Category:Medical Terms]]
+[[Category:Vaccination]]
-[[Category:Infant Health]]
-{{stub}}

Passive immunity
Antitoxin diphtheria.jpg
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	N/A
Complications	N/A
Onset	N/A
Duration	N/A
Types	N/A
Causes	N/A
Risks	N/A
Diagnosis	N/A
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	N/A
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	N/A
Deaths	N/A