Vaccination and Immunity

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccine specifically protects against tuberculosis, especially severe forms like TB meningitis in children. It is not used for pneumonia, emphysema (a chronic obstructive lung disease), or smallpox (which has a different vaccine).

An antigen is any substance that triggers an immune response and stimulates antibody production. Antigens are not 'opposite' to antibodies (that's backwards), nor are they residues or results of antibodies. Instead, antigens are the foreign molecules or cell-surface markers that the immune system recognizes and responds to by making specific antibodies.

In human Burkitt's lymphoma, work is in progress to develop a vaccine to exploit the ability of cytotoxic T-cells to target EBV-related antigens on the cells of all Burkitt's tumors. It may be an advantage to treat the patients at the same time with cytokines to upregulate the expression of ICAM-1, LFA-3 and possibly of the virus itself.

Interferon inhibits the intracellular replication of viruses.

There are at least 93 serotypes in the world, though 23 prevalent serotypes that cause disease in different parts of the world, but no switching of the bacterium between serotypes. Infections with these organisms are common and often infect those with antibody or innate or combined deficiencies.

SV40 virus was initially discovered in the rhesus monkey kidney cells that were used to make inactivated Salk polio vaccine virus.

They protect by neutralizing a function of the pathogen such as the harmful part of a toxin or a viral coat protein which binds to a cell-surface viral receptor on the host cells.

Jonas Edward Salk was an American medical researcher and virologist. He discovered and developed the first successful inactivated polio vaccine.

The smooth unblemished skin of milkmaids gave Jenner the idea of using cowpox. The cowpox virus is non-virulent in man but shares antigens with the related smallpox virus and is therefore able to elicit protection against subsequent infection with smallpox.

BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) vaccine primarily protects against tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs. It is part of routine immunization in many countries with high TB prevalence.

The DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine combines protection against three bacterial diseases. Diphtheria affects the throat and respiratory system, pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory infection, and tetanus causes muscle stiffness and spasms. This triple vaccine is part of routine childhood immunization worldwide.

The DPT vaccine is a combination vaccine that provides protection against three highly infectious diseases: Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Tetanus.

Measles and rabies are specific diseases caused by viruses. Hepatitis is also a viral disease, making it the most appropriate addition to the group. While cancer is a broad term for many diseases, hepatitis fits the pattern of specific named medical conditions.

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic effective against the bacteria causing whooping cough and diphtheria. Historically, it was also noted for its activity against certain large pathogens once classified as large viruses, such as Chlamydia. Penicillin is less effective against these specific respiratory infections.