Naturally Acquired Active Immunity

Naturally Acquired Active Immunity

Naturally Acquired Active Immunity

Active immunity develops after antigens enter the body and the individuals immune system responds with antibodies. The exposure to antigens may be unintentional or intentional. When former, the immunity that develops is called naturally acquired active immunity.

Naturally acquired active immunity usually follows a bout of illness . However, this may not be always and subclinical diseases may also induce this immunity.

For example, many have acquired immunity from subclinical cases of mumps (viral) or cryptococcosis (fungal) .Memory cells in the lymphoid tissue are responsible for production of antibodies that yield this immunity. The cells remain active for many years and produce IgG immediately upon later entry of the parasite (antigen) to the host. Such an antibody response is also called secondary anamnestic response.

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