Tetanus toxoid and Diphtheria toxoid (TT, DT)

Tetanus toxoid and diphtheria toxoid are purified, chemically (commonly formaldehyde) or genetically inactivated forms of the highly potent tetanus and diphtheria bacterial protein toxins. When used as vaccines, these toxoids are strongly immunogenic but non-toxic, stimulating the host's immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies without the risk of toxin-mediated disease. Their use has dramatically reduced the incidence of tetanus and diphtheria worldwide[6][4]. Neither toxoid is a pharmacological target (receptor, enzyme, transporter), but both serve as antigens in vaccines and targets for the adaptive immune system.

Other names

TTinactivated tetanus toxinTetanus vaccine antigenDTinactivated diphtheria toxinDiphtheria vaccine antigen

Induces adaptive immune response generating neutralizing antibodies; these antibodies then neutralize the respective native toxins if encountered, preventing disease.