Diphtheria antitoxin

Diphtheria antitoxin is a medication used in the treatment of diphtheria, a serious bacterial infection. It is a type of antitoxin that works by neutralizing the toxins produced by the bacteria.

History

The use of diphtheria antitoxin dates back to the late 19th century. It was first used in 1891 by Emil von Behring and Shibasaburo Kitasato, who discovered that the serum of animals immunized against diphtheria could be used to treat the disease in humans. This discovery marked a significant milestone in the history of medicine and earned von Behring the first Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1901.

Production

Diphtheria antitoxin is produced by immunizing horses with diphtheria toxin. The horses' immune systems produce antibodies against the toxin, which are then collected from the horses' blood and purified to produce the antitoxin. This process is known as serum therapy.

Use

Diphtheria antitoxin is used in conjunction with antibiotics to treat diphtheria. The antitoxin neutralizes the toxins produced by the bacteria, while the antibiotics kill the bacteria themselves. The antitoxin is typically administered intravenously or intramuscularly, depending on the severity of the infection.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of diphtheria antitoxin include allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, and serum sickness, a delayed immune response to the horse proteins in the antitoxin.

See Also

• Diphtheria
• Antitoxin
• Serum therapy
• Emil von Behring
• Shibasaburo Kitasato