Difference Between Antitoxin and Toxoid

Definition

Antitoxin refers to an antibody that is capable of neutralizing the specific toxin while toxoid refers to a chemically modified toxin from a pathogenic microorganism, which is no longer toxic but is still antigenic and can be used as a vaccine.

Significance

Antitoxin is the antibodies directed against bacterial toxins while toxoid is inactivated bacterial toxin.

Importance

Antitoxin is a treatment for a disease while toxoid is a vaccine that prevents a disease.

Type of Immunity

Antitoxin is a type of passive immunity while toxoid is a type of active immunity.

Duration

Antitoxin is important for short-term immunity while toxoid is important for long-term immunity.