Postbooster Antibodies from Humans as Source of Diphtheria Antitoxin

Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Jul;22(7):1265-7. doi: 10.3201/eid2207.151670.

Abstract

Diphtheria antitoxin for therapeutic use is in limited supply. A potential source might be affinity-purified antibodies originally derived from plasma of adults who received a booster dose of a vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid. These antibodies might be useful for treating even severe cases of diphtheria.

Keywords: Corynebacterium diphtheriae; antibodies; antitoxin; bacteria; booster; diphtheria; vaccination.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae
  • Diphtheria / prevention & control*
  • Diphtheria Antitoxin / immunology*
  • Diphtheria Toxoid / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Secondary

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Diphtheria Antitoxin
  • Diphtheria Toxoid