Immunization

45 Immunization




Questions


image What is the difference between passive and active immunization?

image Why do infants respond poorly to polysaccharide vaccines?

When Edward Jenner demonstrated, in 1796, that inoculation with material from cowpox-infected tissue could protect against subsequent exposure to smallpox, the science of immunization was born; preparations that induce immunity are now commonly known as vaccines, derived from the name of the cowpox agent (the vaccinia virus). Vaccines are important against diseases that may have serious consequences and where treatments are less than optimal, particularly when infection is common. The decline in cases of whooping cough coincided with the introduction of the pertussis vaccine in the 1950s, but notifications rose again when fears over safety of the vaccine led to decreased uptake in the 1970s.


Adaptive immunity may be produced by two methods: passive and active immunization.


Passive immunization. Immunity is produced by giving preparations of specific antibody collected from individuals convalescing from infection or after immunization (hyperimmune immunoglobulin), or human normal immunoglobulin from pooled blood donor plasma if the infectious agent is prevalent. Passive immunization may be given as postexposure prophylaxis against tetanus, hepatitis B, diphtheria, rabies and chickenpox.

Active immunization. The administration of vaccines will induce a response from the host’s own immune system. It is the most powerful method, effective against a wide range of pathogens (Table 3.45.1; see also Appendix Table A.5) and is used routinely in many parts of the world including the UK.
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Jul 3, 2016 | Posted by in MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE | Comments Off on Immunization

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