Antiserum is a blood serum containing monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies that is used to spread passive immunity to many diseases via blood donation (plasmapheresis).
Full Answer
What is antiserum and how does it work?
Antiserum provides passive immunity to a specific disease or poison due to receiving preformed antibodies against a particular antigen. Animals such as horse, sheep, and rabbit are often useful in extracting antiserum. However, human antiserum is more valuable than animal antiserum since it does not cause allergies, etc.
When did antiserum stop being used to treat viral infections?
The discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s diminished interest in treating bacterial infections with antiserum, but its use for viral infections continued with the development of ethanol fractionation of blood plasma (which allowed for purified antibodies), discovered by Dr. Edwin Cohn.
When is the antiserum removed from the host animal?
When a suitable time after injection has passed for the host animal to generate antibodies (2-3 months), blood is withdrawn from the host and the red blood cells are removed leaving only the antiserum. The antiserumcontains proteins from the host animal and antibodies generated in the host (Culliford 1964; Roitt et al.
What is serum therapy?
Serum therapy, also known as serotherapy, describes the treatment of infectious disease using the serum of animals that have been immunized against the specific organisms or their product, to which the disease is supposedly referable.
What is antiserum used for?
Antiserum is human or nonhuman blood serum containing monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies that is used to spread passive immunity to many diseases via blood donation ( plasmaphoresis ).
How to find the moment when most antitoxins are produced in the blood cells of horses?
In order to find the moment when most antitoxins in the blood cells of the horses is produced, frequent blood samples were taken from the horses. At the point when the highest amount of antibodies were produced, five liters of blood, a tenth of the blood volume of a horse, were taken through a cannula.
What is the suffix for chimeric monoclonal antibodies?
Chimeric monoclonal antibodies are identified with the suffix "-ximab". They originate partially from a murine animal and partially from a human. An example of a chimeric monoclonal antibody is Infliximab, which is used to treat Crohn disease. Humanized monoclonal antibodies are identified with the suffix "-zumab".
Why are monoclonal antibodies beneficial?
Monoclonal antibodies became advantageous due to their decreased variability in quality, a decreased risk of bloodborne diseases, and increased potency. This enabled a large expansion of the usages of antiserum and opened the door for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Why are horses considered the best serum producers?
Horses proved to be the best serum producer, as the serum of other large animals is not concentrated enough, and horses were not believed to carry any diseases that could be transferred to humans . Due to the First World War, a large number of horses were needed for military purposes.
When was diphtheria first used?
History. The first therapies for the treatment of diphtheria and tetanus came into use in the mid-1890s and had a major impact on the development of the history of medicine. Emil Behring (1854–1917) had pioneered the technique, using guinea pigs to produce serum. Based on his observation that people who survived infection with ...
Who saved the life of a young girl with diphtheria?
In 1891 Emil Behring saved the life of a young girl with diphtheria by injecting antiserum for the first time in history. Serum horses proved to be saviors of diphtheria-infected people. Subsequently, treatment of tetanus, rabies, and snake venom developed, and proactive protective vaccination against diphtheria and other microbial diseases began. ...
What animals can produce antiserum?
Antisera can be raised in a wide variety of vertebrate animals: mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, chickens, sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys and horses. The choice of animal for immunization tends to be determined by how much serum is needed, how much antigen is available and the extent of foreigness of the antigen to the immunizing animal. Sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys and horses yield larger quantities of antiserum but are expensive to maintain and are generally used only for the production of commercially available antisera. Rabbits are most commonly used in the laboratory setting when individual investigators need to generate larger volumes of a particular antiserum. Exsanguination is the recommended method for collection of large amounts of antiserum from an animal to be sacrificed but this should only be performed by individuals well versed in the correct technique and as approved by institutional and national guidelines. The production of limited quantities of antisera in the mouse can be overcome by the production of ascites fluid where high antibody titers, equivalent to those achieved in serum, can be obtained. When only tiny amounts of antigen are available, the use of mice is also a clear advantage. A further advantage is that most investigators use inbred mouse strains and the genetics of the immune response for most of the strains have been well documented. If a weak response to an antigen is obtained in a particular mouse strain, changing the strain may help overcome the problem. If the amount of antigen is not limiting, several animals should be used as, even in inbred animal strains, a single antigen preparation will produce differing responses. The most important rule in the choice of animals is that immunization should be done in animals that are furthest in evolutionary distance from the source of antigen.
Is trapping a feasible approach for control of HF?
Trapping and other rodent control measures in and around houses have contributed to stemming epidemics of Bolivian HF in villages. This approach is not feasible for control of Argentine HF and Venezuelan HF, however, for which the reservoirs are widespread in fields. 1
Does immunoglobulin suppress enterovirus?
Immune serum immunoglobulin and IGIV are reported to suppress or eradicate persistent enterovirus infections in some, but not all patients with immunoglobulin deficiency, 7 and one uncontrolled trial of IGIV, 2 g/kg, suggested benefit in children with acute myopericarditis. 56 However, little or no evidence of the efficacy of immunoglobulin has been observed in the treatment of other serious or acute enterovirus infections. A prospective, randomized trial of IGIV (750 mg/kg) for treatment of enterovirus infections in newborn infants did not reduce the daily incidence of viremia or viruria overall, although there may have been benefit when the IGIV lot contained a neutralization titer of ≥1 : 800 to virus isolated from the patient. 157
Does plasma therapy reduce mortality?
Immune plasma therapy can ameliorate the immediate disease symptoms and reduce mortality if administered during the prodromic phase but in about 10% of cases it results in a late neurologic syndrome caused by unknown mechanisms [6, 7]. Further limitations to the current use of this treatment are dictated by a short supply of plasma. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have documented the prophylactic and therapeutic value of the nucleoside analogue ribavirin against several arenaviruses, including JUNV [8, 9]. Importantly, ribavirin reduced both morbidity and mortality in humans associated with JUNV infections if given early in the course of clinical disease [10]. The mechanisms by which ribavirin exerts its anti-arenaviral action remain poorly understood, but likely involve targeting different steps of the virus life cycle. Some limitations of the use of ribavirin are: (i) its often, and significant side effects, including anemia and congenital disorders; and (ii) the need for intravenous administration for optimal efficacy. Several inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, the S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, a variety of sulfated polysaccharides, phenotiazine compounds, brassinosteroids and myristic acid have been reported to have anti-arenaviral activity. However, these compounds display only modest and rather non-specific effects associated with significant toxicity.
Can antiserum be used for rabies?
Antiserum alone may not prevent rabies and is not recommended, except in combination with vaccine (see “Serum and Vaccine Prophylaxis ” later). When antiserum is provided in advance of vaccine, it may interfere with active immunization.
What is an antiserum?
antiserum. 1. a serum containing antibodies, such as one obtained from an animal that has been subjected to the action of antigen either by injection into the tissues or blood or by infection . See also immunity and immunization. Called also immune serum.
What is serum antibody?
Serum that contains antibody or antibodies specific for one or more antigens; may be prepared from the blood of animals inoculated with an antigenic material or from the blood of animals and people who have been stimulated by natural contact with an antigen (as by an attack of disease).
What is an antitoxin?
) antitoxin containing large quantities of ANTIBODIES to a specific ANTIGEN, which confers quick-acting ‘passive’ IMMUNITY when donated to an individual who may have been exposed to the antigen . For example, tetanus antiserum is injected after the possible entry of tetanus bacterium in an accident. Compare VACCINE.
What is blood serum?
Animal or human blood serum which contains ANTIBODIES to infective organisms or to the TOXINS produced by organisms. The serum donor must previously have been infected with the organisms concerned.
What is polyclonal serum?
Polyclonal serum that contains demonstrable antibody or antibodies specific for one (monovalent or specific antiserum) or more (polyvalent antiserum) antigens; may be prepared from the blood of animals inoculated with an antigenic material or from the blood of animals and people who have been stimulated by natural contact with an antigen (as in those who recover from an attack of disease).
What is an antiserum?
It contains antibodies against a particular or specific antigen. An antigen can be an infective organism or a poisonous substance. Antiserum provides passive immunity to a specific disease or poison due to receiving preformed antibodies against a particular antigen.
What is the difference between serum and antiserum?
The key difference between serum and antiserum is that serum is the straw coloured fluid component of blood without blood cells and clotting factors, while antiserum is antibody-rich serum obtained from an immunized animal or human. Blood is a specialized body fluid that circulates throughout our body, delivering essential substances such as oxygen ...
What is the density of serum?
It also contains electrolytes, antibodies, antigens, minerals, dissolved proteins, hormones, carbon dioxide, etc. Generally, the density of serum is 1.024g/ml. It is the part of the blood that is useful when determining blood groups and various other blood diseases.
What is the function of blood?
Blood is a specialized body fluid that circulates throughout our body, delivering essential substances such as oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells while removing carbon dioxide and metabolic waste from the body’s cells. Blood contains several components such as red blood cells, plasma, white blood cells and platelets. ...
Does serum coagulate?
The serum is plasma without clotting factors. Hence, the serum does not clot or coagulate. It contains water and other dissolved substances such as electrolytes, hormones, antibodies, etc. Antiserum is another version of serum we obtain from an immunized individual or animal. It is rich in antibodies against a particular antigen.
Is serum a fluid?
Furthermore, the serum is a natural fluid of the blood, while the production of antiserum involve s artificially injecting a specific antigen to an animal or individual and extracting antibody-rich serum. Therefore, we can consider this also as a difference between serum and antiserum. Below infographic shows more comparisons regarding ...
Is antiserum more valuable than animal antiserum?
However, human antiserum is more valuable than animal antiserum since it does not cause allergies, etc. Figure 02: Immunization. The most common use of antiserum in humans is the treatment against snake biting as antivenom. Moreover, antiserum is useful as antitoxin.
Overview
Monoclonal antibodies (also called moAbs or mAbs) are proteins made in laboratories that act like proteins called antibodies in our bodies. Antibodies are parts of your immune system. They seek out the antigens (foreign materials) and stick to them in order to destroy them.
Procedure Details
In most cases, monoclonal antibodies are given mostly as intravenous (IV) solution injected right into your vein (sometimes referred to as an infusion). They’re often given in an infusion center where there are several people getting treatment at one time.
Recovery and Outlook
Infusion times can vary. As an example, though, monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 under Emergency Use Authorization took about an hour for infusion and then another hour or so to watch for any reaction to the infusion.
When to Call the Doctor
If you’ve had a monoclonal antibody treatment, and you’re having an expected reaction, call your healthcare provider or go to an emergency room.
How do antiretroviral drugs work?
Once new viral particles are released, the cycle starts anew. Antiretroviral drugs work by blocking different stages of this cycle. When used in combination, they function as a biochemical tag team—one that is able to suppress the multitude of viral mutations that can exist within a single HIV population.
When will the FDA approve extended release drug regimens for adults living with HIV?
FDA approves first extended-release, injectable drug regimen for adults living with HIV. January 21, 2021. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents.
Do antiretroviral drugs kill viruses?
Antiretroviral drugs do not kill the virus; rather, they block different stages of the virus's life cycle. By doing so, the virus is unable to replicate and make copies of itself. If treatment continues without interruption, the viral population will drop to a point where it is undetectable (meaning not zero but below the level of detection with current testing technologies).
What is an antiserum?
: blood serum that contains antibodies against an infective agent (such as a bacteria or virus) or toxic substance (such as snake venom) and may be used to prevent or treat infection or poisoning.
Is antiserum monovalent or polyvalent?
Antiserum may be monovalent (containing antibodies against a single type of antigen or pathogenic agent) or polyvalent (containing antibodies against two or more types of antigens or pathogenic agents). — compare antivenin, convalescent serum.
