The spelling of the term "passive transfer" can be broken down phonetically as /ˈpæsɪv ˈtrænsfɜːr/. The first syllable, "passive," is pronounced with a short "a" sound and a soft "s." The second syllable, "transfer," is pronounced with the stress on the second vowel, which is an "a" sound. The final "er" sound is pronounced with a soft "r." "Passive transfer" refers to the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, without the recipient's immune system actively producing its own antibodies.
Passive transfer is a term used in immunology and medicine to describe the process of transferring immunity or specific antibodies from one individual to another. This transfer occurs from a donor to a recipient and involves the direct introduction of pre-formed antibodies, rather than the recipient's immune system producing them.
In passive transfer, the donor can be an organism that has previously been exposed to a pathogen or has been actively immunized against it. Antibodies are then harvested from the donor's blood or other bodily fluids and directly administered to the recipient. This can be done through various methods, such as intravenous injection or administration of serum or plasma.
The main advantage of passive transfer is that it provides immediate protection against specific pathogens or antigens in the recipient, as the transferred antibodies are already present and ready to target the invading pathogens. This type of immunity is temporary and typically lasts for a few weeks to a few months, as the transferred antibodies gradually degrade or are cleared from the recipient's system.
Passive transfer is particularly useful in situations where rapid and immediate protection is needed, such as in cases of exposure to infectious diseases or following transplantation surgeries. It is also commonly used in the treatment of certain autoimmune disorders or in newborns who have not yet developed their own immune responses.
Overall, passive transfer plays a crucial role in providing temporary immunity or protection by transferring pre-formed antibodies from a donor to a recipient.
The etymology of the word "passive" can be traced back to the Latin word "passivus", which means "capable of suffering" or "receptive". From there, it was introduced into the English language in the 14th century, retaining a similar meaning of being acted upon or receiving rather than actively engaging.
The term "transfer" comes from the Latin word "transferre", which means "to carry across" or "to transmit". It was also introduced into English in the 14th century and refers to the act of moving or conveying something from one place or person to another.
Therefore, the term "passive transfer" likely emerged by combining the Latin root of "passive", indicating reception or lack of action, with the concept of "transfer", which suggests the movement or conveyance of something.