What is the outcome of a buildup of antibodies in the body?

When a buildup of antibodies occurs in the body, it typically results in immunity. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to antigens, such as pathogens or foreign substances. The primary role of antibodies is to recognize and neutralize these antigens. When the body has a sufficient amount of antibodies specific to a particular pathogen, it can effectively prevent infection or reduce the severity of the disease caused by that pathogen upon subsequent exposure. This form of immunity can be acquired through previous infections or vaccinations, where the body is exposed to a harmless form of the pathogen, prompting an immune response that prepares it for future encounters.

While other outcomes such as resistance and allergies may involve antibodies, they are not the direct result of a buildup of antibodies in the same way immunity is. Resistance refers more broadly to the body's overall ability to fend off infections and may involve various physiological mechanisms beyond just antibodies. Allergies are an inappropriate immune response to harmless substances (allergens), which can also involve antibodies but typically indicate a dysregulated immune response rather than a protective buildup leading to immunity.