Normal and abnormal mucosal antibody mediated immunity

The host's humoral immune status to various antigenic substances is usually only evaluated in serum, and after the parenteral route of administration. The possibilities of using other routes of immunization, e.g. via different mucous membranes, has not been considered. The capacity to induced secretory antibodies appearing on mucous membranes after local immunization may be of biological relevance for protection against several pathogens. This presentation will try to focus on aspects of normal and abnormal mucosal antibody mediated defence.