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Annals of internal medicine1996; 125(3); 233-236; doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-125-3-199608010-00012

Heterologous antisera and antivenins are essential biologicals: perspectives on a worldwide crisis.

Abstract: Active immunization against infectious disease is important. However, much of our world faces poverty, social injustice, and warfare, all of which cause universal immunization to remain a distant dream. Agents that provide passive immunity thus remain essential biologicals. The most important of these are human or equine antisera against rabies, tetanus, diphtheria, and snake antivenins. Homologous products are either unavailable or unaffordable in places where they are needed the most. Less expensive heterologous (equine) antisera can be purified and are safe to use, but these antisera are also in short supply. Monoclonal antibodies have been developed but are even less likely to be affordable in poor countries. Several traditional sources of equine antisera are becoming depleted as a result of economic disincentives; a poor reputation based on the high adverse reaction rates of the old, unpurified products; and the activities of animal rights activists who object to the use of horses as blood donors. Purified, pepsin-digested equine antisera are preferred; but developing countries sometimes are forced to make crude products that are less safe or have no specific therapy available at all.
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Publication Date: 1996-08-01 PubMed ID: 8686982DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-125-3-199608010-00012Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the worldwide issue of shortage and affordability of crucial serum-based treatments, such as antivenins and antisera for diseases like rabies, tetanus, and diphtheria, especially in developing countries.

Essential Role of Antisera and Antivenins

  • The study highlights the crucial role of antisera and antivenins, derived from human or animal (primarily horse) blood, in fighting different diseases like rabies, tetanus, and diphtheria where immediate immunity is needed. These substances provide passive immunity, which can be a lifesaver in situations or regions where active immunizations through vaccines are not available or affordable.
  • The paper points out that homologous products, derived from human antibodies, are either not available or unaffordable in regions that need them the most. Instead, cheaper heterologous (equine) antisera serve as viable alternatives. Despite being safe for use after purification, these heterologous antisera are also running short in supply.

Challenges with Modern Solutions

  • While monoclonal antibodies have been developed as an alternative to traditional antisera, their production costs make them less accessible and affordable for poorer countries.
  • The paper also discusses the challenges faced in creating more equine antisera. Traditional sources are being depleted due to a combination of economic disincentives, poor reputation based on adverse reactions associated with the older, less-purified products, and protests from animal rights activists against using horses for blood extraction.

Issues Faced by Developing Countries

  • The paper emphasizes the dilemma that many low-incoming countries face due to these challenges. In many cases, they are forced to produce less safe, crude antisera products due to a lack of resources or access to purified, pepsin-digested equine antisera.
  • In the worst-case scenario, these developing countries might not have any specific treatments available at all, which poses serious public health concerns in those regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Wilde H, Thipkong P, Sitprija V, Chaiyabutr N. (1996). Heterologous antisera and antivenins are essential biologicals: perspectives on a worldwide crisis. Ann Intern Med, 125(3), 233-236. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-125-3-199608010-00012

Publication

Annals of internal medicine
ISSN: 0003-4819
NlmUniqueID: 0372351
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 125
Issue: 3
Pages: 233-236

Researcher Affiliations

Wilde, H
  • Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research in Rabies), Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thipkong, P
    Sitprija, V
      Chaiyabutr, N

        MeSH Terms

        • Antivenins
        • Global Health
        • Health Services Needs and Demand
        • Humans
        • Immune Sera
        • Immunization, Passive / economics
        • Immunization, Passive / methods

        References

        This article includes 22 references

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