Serotherapy

Serotherapy is a medical treatment involving the administration of serum, typically derived from animals, containing antibodies to provide passive immunity against a specific disease or toxin. This process introduces pre-formed antibodies to neutralize harmful pathogens, providing immediate protection or treatment. The therapy is often used in cases of acute infections or exposures where rapid intervention is crucial, however its use is decreasing as a result of the risk of adverse reactions like serum sickness.

Serotherapy meaning with examples

• A child exposed to diphtheria may receive serotherapy to quickly neutralize the toxin and prevent severe complications. This provides rapid antibody support, unlike vaccines. The antitoxin-containing serum helps to stop the progression of the disease swiftly, providing immediate immunity. This is important where quick response is critical to avoiding serious harm.
• Following a snakebite from a venomous species, serotherapy using antivenom serum can be administered to neutralize the injected venom. Antivenom works on the concept of providing immediate immunity through externally produced antibodies. This rapid response aims to limit the damage and complications arising from the bite, such as organ damage and death.
• In certain cases of botulism, a severe form of food poisoning, serotherapy with an antitoxin can be life-saving. This involves injecting pre-formed antibodies to neutralize the botulinum toxin. By neutralizing the toxin, the antitoxin helps alleviate paralysis and prevent further damage in the body. The therapy provides immediate intervention.
• For individuals exposed to certain viral infections like rabies, serotherapy may be combined with vaccination as part of post-exposure prophylaxis. This aims to neutralize the virus immediately while the body develops its own active immune response with the vaccine, reducing the risk of disease. It provides a boost of protection.