Diphtheria Antibodies Transmitted from Mother to Child

Abstract
Summary: Measurements were made of the diphtheria antibodies in the blood of a mother and baby during the eighteen months following the birth. Tests were made for antibodies of the antibacterial sort as well as for the antitoxin. The antibacterial antibodies were found in the serum of the baby over the period in which placentally transmitted antibodies could be expected to be retained, but owing to their passive origin they were absent in later bleedings. Control tests showed that the antibacterial antibodies were absent in the sera of babies whose mothers did not possess them. The data of the antitoxin tests owe their interest to the high degree of immunity of the mother and to the length of time over which the blood of both baby and mother was studied.

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