Immunity gap

The entry of E. coli in a protein-rich medium into the small intestine, which has a damaged surface from the switch to solid feed, at a time when the pig's immune response is normally low (the immunity gap), presents a high risk for a secretory diarrhea.

The actual age at which the immunity gap develops depends on the amount of maternally derived antibody (MDA) transferred to each kitten.

Prior to this, young animals face an 'immunity gap': passive immunity is reduced and the animal's own immune system is not yet fully capable of combating pathogens.

However, an immunity gap in adults coupled with the presence of large numbers of susceptible children and adolescents creates the potential for an extensive epidemic.

Thus with the usual booster (third dose) at 5-6 months there is only a small risk of an immunity gap.

While prior studies in Pakistan indicated near universal exposure to hepatitis A by age 14 years, the incidence of acute hepatitis A among adults has increased in recent years, indicating an immunity gap.

In other words, there currently exists a Good Samaritan immunity gap between and among the states.