IMMUNOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -During the last 3 months of pregnancy, antibodies from mothers are passed to their unborn babies through the placenta. This type of immunity is called passive immunity because the baby has been given antibodies rather than making them itself.

Detailed explanation-2: -Passive immunity can occur naturally, such as when an infant receives a mother’s antibodies through the placenta or breast milk, or artificially, such as when a person receives antibodies in the form of an injection (gamma globulin injection).

Detailed explanation-3: -However, several studies support the role of passive immunity against mucosal pathogens (see Table 8.3), including examples such as influenza (respiratory virus), Haemophilus influenzae (respiratory bacterium), rotavirus (enteric virus), and Escherichia coli (enteric bacterium).

Detailed explanation-4: -Give a few examples of active and passive immunity. Immunization of chickenpox, hepatitis, flu, and polio are some examples of active immunity. A baby receiving antibodies from her mother’s breast milk and injection of antisera are examples of passive immunity.