Harry M. Meyer

Immunoprevention of Infectious Diseases

During the past century, major progress in the control of infectious diseases has stemmed from the application of several concepts: (1) that microscopic and submicroscopic agents cause particular diseases, (2) that man has specific immunological mechanisms that can be programmed to provide a defense against infectious agents, (3) that vector-transmitted infections can be prevented by control of the vectors, and (4) that specific antimicrobial agents could be used in the treatment of infectious diseases. Another idea is now on the horizon which could become a major force in future developments, viz. the concept that transmissible agents may cause certain malignant and degenerative diseases of man. With this concept goes the assumption that perhaps the impact of these diseases, too, can be blunted with the use of immunological and antimicrobial products.