inaktiveeritud

Inaktiveeritud is the Estonian term for something that has been rendered inactive or deactivated. In scientific and medical contexts it describes organisms, cells, proteins, or toxins that have been treated to lose biological activity while attempting to preserve structural features for study or use.

In vaccines, inactivated refers to vaccines containing pathogens that have been killed or inactivated so they cannot replicate. They provoke an immune response without causing disease. Because they do not multiply in the body, these vaccines are generally safe for many populations, including some individuals with weakened immune systems, but they may produce weaker and shorter-lasting immunity than live vaccines and often require multiple doses and adjuvants.

Methods of inactivation include chemical means such as formaldehyde or beta-propiolactone, and physical methods such as heat or irradiation. Inactivation aims to preserve antigenic structures while eliminating infectivity; however, some epitopes may be altered, affecting immunogenicity.

Common examples of inactivated vaccines include the polio vaccine (inactivated poliovirus vaccine, IPV), hepatitis A, and some rabies vaccines. These vaccines are integral to public health and are subject to rigorous regulatory oversight.

Outside vaccines, the term also applies to enzymes, toxins, or pathogens rendered nonfunctional for research or safety purposes. The meaning of inaktiveeritud depends on context, but it consistently describes a state of loss of biological activity.