With some bacterial diseases, such as diphtheria and tetanus, the problem is not the bacteria themselves but rather the toxins they produce, which enter and poison cells. Therefore, toxoid vaccines contain inactivated toxins, known as toxoids. Toxoid vaccines stimulate antibody production. When a person is infected, these antibodies can block the toxins from getting into cells.
With some bacterial diseases, such as diphtheria and tetanus, the
problem is not the bacteria themselves but rather the toxins they
produce, which enter and poison cells. Therefore, toxoid vaccines
contain inactivated toxins, known as...
More
Dr. Anthony Komaroff answered:With some bacterial diseases, such as diphtheria and tetanus, the problem is not the bacteria themselves but rather the toxins they produce, which enter and poison cells. Therefore, toxoid vaccines contain inactivated toxins, known as toxoids. Toxoid vaccines stimulate antibody production. When a person is infected, these antibodies can block the toxins from getting into cells.With some bacterial diseases, such as diphtheria and tetanus, the problem is not the bacteria themselves but rather the toxins they produce, which enter and poison cells. Therefore, toxoid vaccines contain inactivated toxins, known as... More