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humoral immunity immunity mediated by antibodies.At the time a substance enters the body and is interpreted as foreign, antibodies are released from plasma cells and enter the body fluids where they can react with the specific antigens for which they were formed. There are two types of humoral immune response: the primary response begins immediately after the initial contact with an antigen, with an antibody appearing 48 to 72 hours later. Antibodies produced during this primary response are mainly of the IgM class of immunoglobulins. A secondary response occurs within 24 to 48 hours and involves production of large quantities of immunoglobulins that are mainly of the IgG class. The secondary response lasts much longer than the primary response and is the result of repeated contact with the antigens; this type is the basic principle behind consecutive immunizations.
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