What does artificially acquired passive immunity refer to?

Artificially acquired passive immunity involves the temporary immunity that results from the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another. This method is typically achieved through the administration of antiserum or antitoxin, which contains ready-made antibodies.

This type of immunity is different from naturally acquired immunity, where the body produces its own antibodies after being exposed to an infection, or from passive immunity obtained through breastfeeding, where antibodies are transferred via mother’s milk. Additionally, childhood vaccinations result in active immunity; they stimulate the body’s own immune system to produce antibodies in response to a harmless form of the pathogen. Therefore, the correct answer highlights how artificially acquired passive immunity directly involves the use of antiserum or antitoxin to confer ready-made antibodies to an individual, providing immediate, but temporary, protection against specific diseases.