Immunity to the Common Cold from Protective Serum Antibody

Abstract

UNTIL recently, the information available on immunity to the common cold indicated that little if any immunity developed as a consequence of overt infection. As a result of studies in volunteers, we have presented data showing that common viral respiratory infections both elicit an antibody response and protect the host against infection upon rechallenge.1 The capacity of agents of the common cold to stimulate an antibody response in man was observed in studies showing that pooled human gamma globulin neutralized infectious nasal secretions.2 Critical to the changing concept regarding immunity has been the recognition of strain specificity among the viral . . .