Question

Short lived immunity acquired by foetus/infant from mother through placenta /milk is

• A. Active immunity
• B. Passive immunity
• C. Cellular immunity
• D. Innate nonspecific immunity

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Passive immunity

Passive immunity is the transfer of active humoral immunity of ready-made antibodies (exogenous). Passive immunity can occur naturally, when maternal antibodies are transferred to the fetus or child through the placenta or milk, and it can also be induced artificially when high levels of antibodies specific to a pathogen or toxin are transferred to non-immune persons through blood products that contain antibodies. Passive immunity is short-lived, as long as antibodies persist in the body. It is seen in cases where a patient needs immediate protection from a foreign body and cannot form antibodies quickly enough independently.

So, the correct answer is 'Passive immunity'.