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How the anthrax serum is made
Submitted by SHNS on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 15:20.
From lifeblood to lifesaver: how Anthrax Immune Globulin is made -- and how it might work.
- Military members and veterans who have received the anthrax vaccine give plasma.
- The plasma is frozen, shipped to a laboratory, screened for infections and combined with plasma from other donors.
- Using a process called fractionation, the plasma is separated into various proteins, then filtered again for viruses.
- The anthrax protein is removed and packaged as Anthrax Immune Globulin.
- Vials are shipped to the U.S. government for stockpiling, including in major hospitals throughout the country.
- In the event of an anthrax attack or infection from natural exposure, the globulin, which contains anthrax antibodies, is injected into an infected patient.
- As the patient's own antibodies develop, the boost of extra antibodies helps fight off the anthrax virus.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)


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