What is the purpose of the diphtheria antitoxin?

The diphtheria antitoxin serves the purpose of providing passive immunity. This antitoxin contains antibodies that are specifically targeting the diphtheria toxin, allowing for immediate neutralization of the toxin in individuals who have been exposed to the bacterium responsible for diphtheria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This is particularly important in cases where a person presents with diphtheria or is at high risk of developing the disease, as it can prevent severe toxicity and associated complications.

Passive immunity is different from active immunity, which involves the body producing its own antibodies in response to an infection or vaccination. In the case of the diphtheria antitoxin, the antibodies are obtained from another source (historically derived from animals that have been immunized against the toxin) and are administered directly to the patient. This provides immediate but temporary protection, contrasting with the longer-lasting protection from active immunity, which develops over time as the immune system learns to respond to the pathogen.

The purpose of the antitoxin is not to stimulate an immune response nor to enhance toxin binding. Instead, its primary function is to neutralize the effects of the toxin already present, thereby mitigating the toxic effects of the disease without waiting