Volume 8, Number 8—August 2002
Perspective
Passive Antibody Administration (Immediate Immunity) as a Specific Defense Against Biological Weapons
Arturo Casadevall
Table
Therapeutic and prophylactic strategies to combat biological warfare agent.
| Strategy | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial chemotherapy | Relatively cheap Oral administration Self-administration | Potential for superinfection Selection for bystander resistance Continuous use needed for efficacy Drug-dependent side effects Organisms can be engineered for resistance Long development time to licensure |
| Vaccines | Long-lasting protection | Low public acceptance to theoretical threat? Immune response requires time Uncertain efficacy in compromised hosts Potential for deleterious immunologic sequelae Long development time to licensure |
| Passive antibody | Immediate protection, lasting weeks or months Low toxicity for human antibodies Versatility Shorter development time to licensure? Potential for self-administration | Will probably require cold chain Expensive Need for systemic administration Agents can be engineered for resistance Potential for infusion related reactions |
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