[Immunotherapy of chronic bronchitis: importance of humoral antibodies]

Properties and potentialities of passive and active immunization are discussed in relation to antibody deficiency syndromes (ADS) and in situations with increased risk of infections. Passive immunization with immunoglobulins is indicated whenever the specific antibodies needed for defence against an infectious agent are lacking. The protective effect provided by passive immunization is polyvalent and of immediate onset, but fades rapidly with a halflife of 2-3 weeks. Adequate protection can only be expected with a high dosage. Active immunization with specific vaccines provides longlasting protection against certain infectious diseases with high morbidity and lethality. Using the example of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, the authors offer evidence that a single subcutaneous injection provides a high level of protection in immunologically normal young individuals, but not in old and immunocompromised subjects.