Background: Active immunization techniques against exogenous source antigens (ags – such as bacteria, virus) proved to be successful in preventing many acute infectious diseases from occurring in a susceptible
population. However, an active immunization technique that could be employed both prophylactically and therapeutically has so far not been described. We have developed a new vaccination technique that employs specifi c immune complex (IC) containing components which is able to redirect immune-response outcomes in both preventative and curative regimens in an experimental
autoimmune kidney disease. The technique with appropriate modifi cations was assessed using an exogenous ag in our present experiment.
Material/Methods: We prepared an exogenous ag on a HiTrap™ affi nity column and injected it by fi ve different vaccination techniques into rats. Antibody (ab) responses against the ag were evaluated by ELISA. Statistical analysis assessed possible signifi cant differences in ab responses.
Results: The most powerful immune response was initiated following intraperitoneal (IP) injections of normal rabbit immunoglobulin G (nRIgG) in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). The second most powerful immune response was evoked when the same ag (nRIgG) was injected in the form of IC at ag excess.
Conclusions: 1. Induction of a powerful ab response, without the use of an adjuvant, can be achieved in rats injected with ICs.
2. IC is non-toxic, non-irritant, and able to initiate the production of the same class of immunoglobulin with the same specifi city/function that resides in the inoculum.

Keywords: Antigen Presentation, Antibody Formation, Antigen-Antibody Complex, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Immunoglobulin G - immunology, Vaccination