Pathogens May Be Attenuated for Use in Vaccines By

Question

Pathogens may be attenuated for use in vaccines by
A) raising the pathogen for several generations in tissue culture cells.
B) genetic manipulation.
C) treatment with formaldehyde.
D) genetic manipulation coupled with treatment with formaldehyde.
E) genetic manipulation and/or raising the pathogen for several generations in tissue culture cells.

Accepted Answer

Attenuation of pathogens for use in vaccines can be achieved through genetic manipulation and/or raising the pathogen for several generations in tissue culture cells. This weakens the pathogen's ability to cause disease while still allowing it to elicit an immune response and confer immunity in vaccinated individuals. Treatment with formaldehyde alone may not be sufficient to attenuate the pathogen for use in vaccines. Combining genetic manipulation and formaldehyde treatment may be unnecessary and potentially harmful.