Elsevier

Biologicals

Volume 40, Issue 3, May 2012, Pages 196-199
Biologicals

Role of passive immunotherapies in managing infectious outbreaks

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biologicals.2012.01.001Get rights and content

Abstract

The historical and current role of passive immunization in managing outbreaks of infectious diseases reviewed.

Introduction

Although the most common form of passive immunization is the transfer of maternal antibodies to the foetus via the placenta, the term is generally used to refer to the administration of horse or human antibodies to prevent or, occasionally treat, a specific infectious disease.

Section snippets

Products made in horses

The use of antisera is this manner dates from the late 19th century. After Roux and Yersin [1] had identified the diphtheria toxin, Behring and Kitasato [2] found that it was possible to protect susceptible individuals with specific antitoxin raised in horses. In the first half of the 20th century, prior to the availability of antibiotics and most vaccines, intramuscular administration of serum containing high titred antibody was the most effective way to prevent a variety of viral infections

Administered IM

Another product, human normal immunoglobulin, is prepared from the plasma of large numbers of regular donors. The antibody profile of HNIG varies from place to place and over time as it reflects the pattern of natural infection and the extent of immunization in the population from which it is generated. More recently some human or humanized monoclonal antibodies have become available.

Until the 1980’s and 90’s, human normal immunoglobulin was widely used to prevent epidemics of hepatitis A and

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    This paper was presented at the IABS symposium on Blood Safety in Singapore on July 16, 2011.

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