| Immunity with immediate protection against certain infective organisms can be obtained by injecting preparations made from the |
| plasma of immune individuals with adequate levels of antibody to the disease for which protection is sought. The duration of this |
| passive immunity varies according to the dose and the type of immunoglobulin. |
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| Passive immunity may last only a few weeks; when necessary, passive immunisation can be repeated. |
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| Antibodies of human origin are usually termed immunoglobulins. |
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| Antibodies prepared in animals are usually termed antiserum. However because of serum sickness and other allergic-type |
| reactions, antisera therapy has been replaced wherever possible by the use of immunoglobulins. |
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