Immunotherapy – Its relevance in current times

Abstract

A huge proportion of annual mortality, morbidity and healthcare associated costs are still attributable to infectious diseases, both in the developed as well as the developing nations. This problem is greatly compounded by emerging drug resistance and immunocompromised states. In this scenario, there is a renewed interest in exploring novel immunotherapeutic approaches for infectious diseases. This article tries to bring together the important active and passive immunotherapeutic modalities currently under consideration for various viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases. Also, the use of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 has been discussed in the light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The relevant guidelines pertaining to the use of the immunotherapeutic agents have been briefly summarized.