THE ROLE OF ANTIBODIES IN RESPIRATORY VIRAL IMMUNITY

Antibodies protect against disease caused by viruses that infect the l ower respiratory tract, and contribute to the resolution of establishe d infection by these pathogens. The kinetics and specificities of anti bodies secreted in response to respiratory virus infections are descri bed, however the mechanisms by which antibodies prevent or resolve inf ection are less clear Recent studies of virus neutralization in cell c ulture, the immunobiology of respiratory virus infections in animal mo dels, and passive immunoprophylaxis of human patients are beginning to better define the role of antibodies in immunity to respiratory virus es.