Active immunity and passive immunity are two different forms of immune protection that individuals can acquire. They differ in how immunity is obtained and the duration of protection. Understanding the distinction between active and passive immunity is crucial for comprehending the mechanisms underlying vaccination and the transfer of maternal antibodies.

Active immunity refers to the protection acquired when an individual’s immune system recognizes and responds to an antigen, leading to the production of specific antibodies and memory cells. It can be obtained naturally through an immune response to an infection or artificially through vaccination. Active immunity provides long-lasting protection and memory, enabling a rapid and effective immune response upon subsequent exposure to the same pathogen (Plotkin, S. A., & Gilbert, P. B., 2012).

Natural active immunity occurs when an individual contracts an infectious disease, and the immune system responds by producing antibodies and immune memory cells. For example, when a person recovers from measles, they develop immunity to future measles infections due to the immune response generated during the initial infection (Griffin, D. E., 2013).

Artificial active immunity is achieved through vaccination, which involves the administration of a vaccine containing weakened or inactivated pathogens, pathogen-derived antigens, or genetically engineered antigens. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce an immune response, including the production of antibodies and memory cells specific to the antigen(s) present in the vaccine. This immune response provides protection against subsequent exposure to the actual pathogen (Rappuoli, R., Mandl, C. W., & Black, S., 2011).

Passive immunity, on the other hand, involves the transfer of pre-formed antibodies or immune cells from an immune individual to a non-immune individual. This type of immunity provides immediate but temporary protection, as it does not involve the recipient’s own immune response or the generation of memory cells (Heymann, D. L., 2014).

Natural passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from a mother to her fetus through the placenta or from a mother to her infant through breast milk. These maternal antibodies provide protection to the newborn during the early months of life until the infant’s own immune system becomes fully functional. For example, maternal antibodies against measles can protect infants during the first months of life (Adams Waldorf, K. M., & Rubens, C. E., 2007).

Artificial passive immunity is achieved by the administration of pre-formed antibodies, such as immune globulins or monoclonal antibodies, to confer immediate but short-term protection against specific pathogens. This approach is often used for individuals who have been exposed to a pathogen or toxin and require immediate protection, such as in cases of rabies exposure or prevention of hepatitis B infection (Crowe, J. E., 2010).

While passive immunity offers immediate protection, it lacks the longevity and memory associated with active immunity. The transferred antibodies gradually decline in the recipient’s body, leading to a decrease in protection over time. In contrast, active immunity provides long-lasting protection and the ability to mount a rapid and specific immune response upon subsequent exposure to the pathogen (Heymann, D. L., 2014).

Active and passive immunity represent distinct forms of immune protection. Active immunity is acquired through an individual’s own immune response to antigens, either naturally through infection or artificially through vaccination. It offers long-lasting protection and the development of immune memory. Passive immunity, in contrast, involves the transfer of pre-formed antibodies or immune cells and provides immediate but temporary protection. While passive immunity is important in certain situations, active immunity is the foundation for long-term immune protection and is achieved through natural immune responses or vaccination.

References:

Plotkin, S. A., & Gilbert, P. B. (2012). Nomenclature for immune correlates of protection after vaccination. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 54(11), 1615-1617.
Griffin, D. E. (2013). Measles virus. In Fields virology (6th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 1043-1072). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Rappuoli, R., Mandl, C. W., & Black, S. (2011). Dealing with the unknown: The COVID-19 vaccine landscape. Nature Biotechnology, 39(3), 293-297.
Heymann, D. L. (2014). Control of communicable diseases manual. American Public Health Association.
Adams Waldorf, K. M., & Rubens, C. E. (2007). Gravida’s guide to toxoplasmosis. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 109(2 Pt 1), 433-440.
Crowe, J. E. (2010). Principles of passive immunity. In Vaccines for biodefense and emerging and neglected diseases (pp. 143-160). Academic Press.

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