WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Antibodies are proteins made by the body's natural defense system (immune system) to fight foreign
substances, such as bacteria. Antibodies attach themselves to the foreign substance, allowing other
immune system cells to attack and destroy the substance.
The surfaces of viruses, fungi, and bacteria contain chemicals called antigens. To destroy the viruses,
fungi, or bacteria, the immune system creates antibodies that are specific for each antigen.
The first time a person is exposed to a type of bacteria, fungus, or virus, the immune system makes
antibodies to that specific organism.
Some of these antibodies remain in the immune system after they have attacked and destroyed the
bacteria, fungus, or virus.
If a person is exposed to the bacteria, fungus, or virus again, the immune system will "remember" the
first exposure. It will quickly reactivate its antibodies and destroy the organism again.
These antibodies often protect a person from becoming ill when exposed to the bacteria, fungus, or virus
again. This is called immunity.
Blood tests can detect antibodies to certain bacteria, fungi, and viruses, such as the viruses that cause
chickenpox, HIV infection, hepatitis, and mononucleosis. Some conditions can be diagnosed by detecting
antibodies in a person's blood to the virus, fungus, or bacteria that is causing the condition.
Sometimes the body responds to its own tissue as though the tissue was a foreign substance, creating
antibodies against the tissue and triggering reactions that cause normal cells to be destroyed. This is
called an autoimmune response or autoimmune disease.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Revised May 27, 2010
Last Updated: May 27, 2010
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Antibodies