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Passive Immunization

Preventive and Immunologic Intervention

Passive immunization is a medical treatment in which ready-made antibodies against a specific pathogen or toxin are transferred directly into a patient, providing immediate but temporary protection or treatment rather than stimulating the patient's own immune system to produce antibodies over time, as vaccination does. The therapeutic approach traces to 1890, when Emil von Behring and Kitasato Shibasaburo discovered antitoxin-based immunity to diphtheria and tetanus, a breakthrough that made antitoxin therapy the first major success of modern therapeutic immunology; by 1896 diphtheria antitoxin was regarded as one of the most important medical advances of the nineteenth century. Passive immunization today includes treatments such as immunoglobulin therapy and antiserum therapy for patients exposed to specific pathogens or toxins.

Facts
Classification
Status
Standard of Care 1
Origin Year
1890 1
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Long-Form Articles

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Rabies, Conditions
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationPassive Immunization - History section
Quote, Passive Immunization - History section
The article identifies 1890 as the key year when Emil Adolf von Behring and Kitasato Shibasaburo discovered antitoxin-based immunity to diphtheria and tetanus.
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Wikipedia
  • Passive immunity - Duration and risks
    Immunity derived from passive immunization lasts for a few weeks to three to four months.
  • Passive Immunization - Lead section
    In immunology, passive immunity is the transfer of active humoral immunity of ready-made antibodies.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_immunity, lead section
    In immunology, passive immunity is the transfer of active humoral immunity of ready-made antibodies.
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