Question

An example of passive vaccination is when Rh- mothers carrying Rh+ babies are given Rho GAM, humanized antibodies against the Rh+ antigen. Explain why this vaccine does not trigger heme agglutination in the new born.

Answer 1

This vaccine does not trigger heme agglutination in the newborn because it crosses placenta and causes destruction of Rh-positive erythrocytes of the newborn before the immune system of the mother recognize them. Activation of macrophages by coated with antibodies erythrocytes causes hemolysis in the spleen of baby.