Benefits of using heterologous polyclonal antibodies and potential applications to new and undertreated infectious pathogens
Vaccine·
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.01.016
- PMID
- 26802604
- PMCID
- PMC7131169
- OpenAlex
- W2252765364
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
Polyclonal antibody production is presented as a potential platform to address longstanding neglected tropical diseases and emerging infectious threats where prophylactic and therapeutic options remain limited.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The review examines the history, safety development, and potential human applications of heterologous polyclonal antibodies for emerging and neglected infectious diseases.
Study design
Narrative review based on a structured literature search of OVID Medline and OVID Embase, with 303 articles read in full and 179 referenced.
Population and setting
The review addresses human applications of heterologous polyclonal antibody products derived from hyperimmunised animals, with relevance to settings involving rabies, envenomation, intoxication, and infections lacking adequate prophylaxis or therapy.
Main findings
Serum therapy has been used since the 1890s, initially for diphtheria, with early products contaminated by reactogenic animal proteins. Enzymatic digestion, purification, and Fc-fragment removal substantially improved safety. Clinical studies demonstrate efficacy against infections, toxins, and venoms, and products are in development for pathogens such as avian influenza and Ebola.
Public-health relevance
Polyclonal antibody production is presented as a potential platform to address longstanding neglected tropical diseases and emerging infectious threats where prophylactic and therapeutic options remain limited.
Important limitations
The summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata and requires the original paper for decision-grade interpretation; explicit methodological or interpretive limitations were not stated in the supplied abstract.
GIDS interpretation
Within GIDS, this article is relevant to discoverability of evidence on polyclonal antibody approaches for priority and neglected pathogens, but the supplied abstract does not connect the review to any live surveillance signal.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 9 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.