9 topics with a brief review: definitions, key facts, and classroom questions.
This section is dedicated to the tools used in medicine to modulate immunity. We will examine all classes of immunobiological agents in detail: from classical, molecular, and synthetic vaccines to immune sera, immunoglobulins, and targeted monoclonal antibodies.
You will learn how adjuvants enhance the antigenic response and how probiotics affect the microbiome and local immunity. The section also covers immunomodulators for the targeted correction of immune status and diagnostic agents necessary for the precise verification of infectious diseases.
In classes and examinations, the fundamental differences between active and passive immunization (vaccines versus sera), the mechanisms of action of monoclonal antibodies, and the modern classification of vaccine products are most frequently tested. Pay special attention to the composition and mechanisms of action of these agents—this is the foundation for understanding their efficacy and safety in clinical practice.
What is the difference between active and passive immunity in immunoprophylaxis?
Active immunity develops when the body produces its own antibodies in response to an introduced antigen (e.g., during vaccination). Passive immunity is created by the prompt administration of preformed donor antibodies (e.g., sera).
What is the main difference between live and inactivated vaccines?
Live vaccines contain attenuated strains capable of multiplying within the body and safely mimicking the infectious process. Inactivated vaccines contain killed microorganisms or their fragments, cannot multiply, and usually require a course of multiple injections.
How does an anatoxin fundamentally differ from an exotoxin?
An anatoxin (toxoid) is derived from an exotoxin through prolonged exposure to formaldehyde (0.4%) and temperature (37 °C). It is entirely devoid of toxic properties while retaining the ability to stimulate the production of specific protective antibodies.
What is the purpose of adjuvants in vaccines?
They non-specifically enhance the immunogenicity of an antigen, making the immune response more pronounced and prolonged.
What is the active principle of probiotics?
These products are based on cultures of live, non-pathogenic bacteria that normally inhabit the intestine of a healthy human.
How do homologous sera differ from heterologous sera?
Homologous sera are derived from humans; they are safer and protect for 4–5 weeks. Heterologous sera are synthesized in animals; they more frequently cause allergies, and their effect lasts only 2–3 weeks.
Study the full topic in the «Microbiology» course
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Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium