The world is full of bacteria and viruses that can cause life-threatening diseases.
But what if there was a way to protect against them without exposing yourself to the risk?
Artificial acquired passive immunity provides an effective, efficient solution for protecting oneself from harmful pathogens.
It’s safe, fast, and cost-effective — but how does it work?
In this article, we will explore exactly what artificial acquired passive immunity is and how it works to provide protection against disease-causing organisms.
Artificially Acquired Passive Immunity Example
Artificial acquired passive immunity (AAPI) refers to the transfer of pre-existing antibodies from one person or organism to another in order to confer temporary resistance against certain infections.
This kind of immunization offers quick, affordable protection without having to expose yourself directly to a pathogen.
Instead, you are given injections containing ready-made antibodies produced by animals or humans who have already been exposed to the infection.
These antibodies quickly get into your bloodstream and help fight off any foreign substances they encounter.
This is often done to protect against certain diseases or viruses.
For instance, the measles antibody will protect an individual who has been exposed to measles, or a person may be injected with immune globulin (IG) to prevent hepatitis A and measles.
By understanding AAPI, you can make informed decisions about whether this method of immunization might be right for you.
What Is Artificially Acquired Passive Immunity?
Artificially acquired passive immunity is a type of adaptive immunity that involves the transfer of preformed antibodies from one individual to another.
It is an artificial form of protection against infection or disease, and it can be obtained from various sources including human blood donors, animal serum injections, or synthetic antibody preparations.
The transferred antibodies provide immediate but short-term protection against pathogens.
This form of artificial immunity works by introducing readymade antibodies into the body to recognize and respond quickly to foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.
These antibodies bind with antigens on the surface of invading microorganisms in order to neutralize them and prevent further damage.
This process provides temporary protection until the body’s own immune system can create its own specific protective response known as active immunization.
Thus artificially acquired passive immunity represents a viable option for providing individuals with short-term protection against infectious diseases.
Examples Of Diseases That Can Be Prevented By Acquired Passive Immunity
To answer the question of what diseases can be prevented through artificially acquired passive immunity, it is important to understand how this form of immunization works.
Artificially acquired passive immunization involves introducing antibodies into a person’s bloodstream that have been created outside of the body in response to an antigen or infection.
These antibodies already exist and are ready to fight off any foreign invaders before they cause illness.
The following list outlines three common examples of diseases that can be successfully prevented by passive immunization:
- Vaccines containing inactive forms of bacteria or viruses such as those used for hepatitis B
- Monoclonal antibody therapies which target specific antigens including cancer cells
- Intravenous gamma globulin injections which provide protection from viral infections like measles
Passive immunization provides rapid action against disease-causing agents as well as long lasting protection.
It offers a safe way for individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, to receive effective treatment without needing to mount their own immune response.
Passive immunization also has potential applications beyond treating infectious diseases and may even provide therapeutic benefits in autoimmune disorders.
Advantages Of AAPI Over Other Forms Of Immunity
Artificially acquired passive immunity (AAPI) provides several advantages over other forms of immunity, such as active immunity.
With AAPIM, an individual can gain immediate protection without prior exposure or vaccination to a pathogen.
This is because the antibodies used in this type of immunity are derived from another source and injected into the body.
In contrast, active immunity requires prior contact with a pathogen through either natural exposure or by receiving a live attenuated vaccine that carries a risk of adverse reactions and infections.
The main form of passive immunity comes from maternal passive immunity, which occurs when maternal antibodies are transferred across the placenta during pregnancy to protect newborns until their own immune systems develop enough to provide protection on their own.
While beneficial for newborns, this form of natural passive immunity does not last long since it diminishes as soon as childbirth ends.
On the other hand, artificial passive immunization provides much longer-lasting effects than natural methods due to its use of non-perishable antibodies that can remain effective for up to 6 months after administration depending on the specific antibody used.
Common Products That Contain Antibodies For Acquired Passive Immunity Purposes
Artificially acquired passive immunity is a form of protection against infectious agents bestowed by the transfer of antibodies produced in another organism.
It’s like having an outside force step in to save the day and protect your body from harm.
In contrast to active immunization, which stimulates our own immune system to produce antibodies, passive immunization simply provides us with pre-made antibodies ready for action.
Providing instant defense, these products are ideal for protecting individuals who have been exposed to a pathogen or toxin but do not have time for their bodies to generate protective immunity themselves.
Commonly used items that contain such antibodies include:
- Human Immunoglobulin (IgG): This product is made up of gamma globulins isolated from human blood plasma and contains high levels of naturally occurring antibodies against tetanus, measles, poliovirus, hepatitis A & B virus, varicella zoster virus, rubella virus and other common pathogens.
- Antivenom: Used as an antidote after venomous bites or stings from snakes or spiders, antivenom contains large quantities of specific IgG molecules that can neutralize the toxins released into the bloodstream by the attacking animal.
- Anti-D Immunoglobulin: Administered to Rh negative mothers during delivery or shortly after birth if her baby is Rh positive, this product helps prevent production of maternal anti-RhD antibodies.
Its immunoglobulins bind directly with any fetal red cell antigen present in the mother’s circulation and thus prevent its further recognition by B cells and subsequent humoral immunity formation by plasma cells.
These artificially acquired passive immunity products work quickly because they contain huge numbers of preformed antibodies which then act on foreign organisms without needing our own immune systems to become involved.
As such, they provide fast acting protection against various ailments while giving our bodies just enough time to build up natural resistance before we’re really in trouble!
Conclusion
Artificially acquired passive immunity (AAPIM) can be a valuable asset in protecting individuals from potentially dangerous illnesses.
This form of protection has many advantages over other methods, including the ability to provide immediate protection without prior exposure or vaccination and no risk of adverse reactions.
There are also several products available on the market containing antibodies for AAPIM such as human immunoglobulin, antivenom, and anti-D immunoglobulin.
AAPIM allows us all to stay healthy and enjoy life with peace of mind knowing that we have some additional layer of defense against unwelcome pathogens.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between artificially acquired passive immunity and naturally acquired passive immunity?
A: Naturally acquired passive immunity is when antibodies are transferred from mother to child through placenta or breast milk. Artificially acquired passive immunity is when antibodies are transferred from another person or animal through injection or infusion.
Q: How long does artificially acquired passive immunity last?
A: The duration depends on several factors such as antibody type (IgG vs IgA), antibody concentration (high vs low), antibody specificity (broad vs narrow), antigen exposure (frequent vs rare), etc. Generally speaking, artificially acquired passive immunity lasts for weeks or months.
Q: Can artificially acquired passive immunity interfere with vaccination?
A: Yes, it can. If antibodies are given before vaccination, they may prevent the vaccine from eliciting an adequate immune response by neutralizing the vaccine antigens. If antibodies are given after vaccination, they may reduce the duration and intensity of vaccine-induced immunity by competing with vaccine-generated antibodies for binding sites on antigens. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommended schedule and interval between antibody administration and vaccination.
