Immunityunity

Immunity can be described as either active or passive, depending on how it is acquired:

 Active immunity involves the production of antibodies by the body itself and the
subsequent development of memory cells
 Passive immunity results from the acquisition of antibodies from another source and
hence memory cells are not developed

Active immunity will result in long-term immunity but passive immunity will not (due to the
presence or absence of memory cells)

 Both active and passive immunity can be induced by either natural or artificial
mechanisms

Examples of Active Immunity

 Natural – Producing antibodies in response to exposure to a pathogenic infection (i.e.

challenge and response)
 Artificial – Producing antibodies in response to the controlled exposure to an
attenuated pathogen (i.e. vaccination)

Examples of Passive Immunity

 Natural – Receiving antibodies from another organism (e.g. to the foetus via the
colostrum or a newborn via breast milk)
 Artificial – Receiving manufactured antibodies via external delivery (e.g blood
transfusions of monoclonal antibodies)

Types of Immunity
 Active Immunity

Activity immunity comes from exposure to a pathogen. Surface markers on the pathogen
surface act as antigens, which are binding sites for antibodies. Antibodies are Y-shaped
protein molecules, which can exist on their own or attached to the membrane of special cells.
The body doesn't keep a store of antibodies on hand to take down an infection immediately.
A process called clonal selection and expansion builds up sufficient antibodies.

Examples of Active Immunity

An example of natural activity immunity is fighting off a cold. An example of artificial active
immunity is building up a resistance to a disease due to an immunization. An allergic reaction
is an extreme response to an antigen, resulting from active immunity.

Features of Active Immunity

 Active immunity requires exposure to a pathogen or to the antigen of a pathogen.

 Exposure to the antigen leads to the production of antibodies. Antibodies essentially mark a
cell for destruction by special blood cells called lymphocytes.
 Cells involved in active immunity are T cells (cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, memory T cells,
and suppressor T cells), B cells (memory B cells and plasma cells), and antigen-presenting
cells (B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages).
 There is a delay between exposure to the antigen and acquiring immunity. The first exposure
leads to what is called a primary response. If a person is exposed to the pathogen again
later, the response is much faster and stronger. This is called a secondary response.
 Active immunity lasts a long time. It can endure for years or the entire life.
 There are few side effects of active immunity. It can be implicated in autoimmune diseases
and allergies, but generally doesn't cause problems.

Passive Immunity
Passive immunity doesn't require the body to make antibodies to antigens. The antibodies are
introduced from outside the organism.

Examples of Passive Immunity

An example of natural passive immunity is a baby's protection against certain infections by

getting antibodies through colostrum or breast milk. An example of artificial passive
immunity is getting an injection of antisera, which is a suspension of antibody particles.
Another example is the injection of snake antivenom following a bite.

Features of Passive Immunity

 Passive immunity is conferred from outside the body, so it doesn't require exposure to an
infectious agent or its antigen.
 There is no delay for the action of passive immunity. Its response to an infectious agent is
immediate.
 Passive immunity is not as long-lasting as active immunity. It's typically only effective for a
few days.
 A condition called serum sickness can result from exposure to antisera.

Types of immunity

Natural active: Occurs during infection. It is active because lymphocytes are activated by
antigens on pathogen's surface.

Artificial active: Injecting or taking antigens by mouth. Takes time for T and B cells to be
activated but gives long lasting immunity.

Natural passive: Mother to child through placenta or milk.

Artificial passive: Used during potentially fatal diseases. Provides an instant response but
only temporary as antibodies are not the body's own so memory cells are not created. E.g.
tetanus - injection of antitoxins given.

Memory cells are only produced in active immunity.

Protection for active immunity is permanent whereas in passive immunity it is only

temporary.

Antigens are only encountered in active immunity.

Active immunity takes several weeks to become active but passive is immediate.

Age Schedule

Birth – 6 weeks

BCG Vaccine

2 months

Dpt/Opv/Hep B/Hib # 1

4 months

Dpt/Opv/Hep B/Hib # 2

6 months
 Dpt/Opv/Hep B/Hib # 3

1 year

MMR # 1

15 months

HIB # 4

18 months

Dpt/Opv # 4

5 years

Dt/Opv # 5

3-5 years

MMR # 2

12 years

Td/Opv # 6

Required “Shots