Viral vaccines I

Question 1

What is passive immunization?

Answer 1

Administration of antibodies to an unimmunized person from an immune subject to provide temporary protection against a microbial agent or toxin

Question 2

What kind of protection is created by passive immunization?

Answer 2

Protection provided by antibodies created outside the body

Question 3

What is a well known example of passive immunization?

Answer 3

Diphtheria antitoxin (DAT)

Question 4

How is active immunity defined?

Answer 4

Immunity to a pathogen that occurs following exposure to this pathogen

Question 5

What are the functions of antibodies? (3)

Answer 5

1. Neutralization
2. Fc-receptor interaction -> ADCP and ADCC
3. Complement activation

Question 6

What are the two forms of passive immunization?

Answer 6

1. Natural
2. Artifical

Question 7

What is an example of natural passive immunization?

Answer 7

Maternal IgG transportation by the neonatal Fc receptor across the placenta

Question 8

How can we improve passive immunization in newborns before conception, during pregnancy and postnatal?

Answer 8

Before conception: MMR vaccine
During pregnancy: booster vaccines
Postnatal: breastfeeding

Question 9

What are examples of booster vaccines provided to the mother to improve passive immunization in newborns?

Answer 9

1. Pertussis
2. RSV

Question 10

What is the best moment in pregnancy to administer a pertussis booster vaccine to the mother?

Answer 10

~22 weeks

Question 11

What kind of vaccines are generally avoided during pregnancy because of a theoretical risk to the fetus?

Answer 11

Live vaccines

Question 12

Which vaccines are associated with an adverse pregnancy outcome?

Answer 12

MMR vaccines –> vaccinate BEFORE conception

Question 13

What can be side effects of passive immunization? (3)

Answer 13

1. Allergic response
2. Serum sickness to proteins from non-human source
3. Local response

Question 14

What are examples of artificial passive immunization? (2)

Answer 14

1. Monoclonal antibodies
2. Polyclonal antibodies

Question 15

What are the characteristic features of monoclonal antibodies as means for passive immunization? (4)

Answer 15

1. Cheap
2. Mixed ab
3. Bind different areas of specific molecule
4. Tolerant of small changes in protein structures

Question 16

What are the characteristic features of polyclonal antibodies as means for passive immunization? (4)

Answer 16

1. Expensive
2. Single Ab species
3. Only bind single specific site
4. May recognize a particular protein form

Question 17

What are the indications to chose passive immunization? (2)

Answer 17

1. When people cannot synthesize sufficient antibodies
2. When people have been exposed to a disease that they do not have existing immunity for and that disease is likely to cause disease

Question 18

Which types of antibody deficiencies exist? (2)

Answer 18

1. Inherited (primary) antibody deficiencies
2. Acquired (secondary) antibody deficiencies

Question 19

Name an example of an inherited antibody deficiency

Answer 19

XLA: X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Question 20

What are examples of acquired (secondary) antibody deficiencies? (2)

Answer 20

1. Chemotherapy
2. Immunosuppressive medication

Question 21

Name examples of viruses known to cause complications indicating the need for passive immunization? (2)

Answer 21

1. RSV
2. Rabies

Question 22

If someone is already vaccinated against rabies virus, what do you administer?

Answer 22

Post-exposure vaccination (2x)

Question 23

If someone has not been vaccinated against rabies virus, what do you administer?

Answer 23

Vaccination 4x + HRIG (human-anti rabies immunoglobulins)

Question 24

What is the main challenge in treating non-vaccinated rabies patients in underdeveloped countries?

Answer 24

Immunoglobulins are not available –> you have to administer it very soon after