Final answer:
Antivenom is a suspension prepared from the serum of immunized horses that contains antibodies to neutralize venom. It is used to treat bites or stings from venomous animals but can sometimes cause serum sickness due to the foreign proteins it contains.
Step-by-step explanation:
A suspension prepared from the serum of immunized horses of venom-neutralizing antibodies is known as Antivenom. Antivenom is used to treat envenomation caused by bites or stings from venomous animals. It contains antibodies that are specific to the venom's toxins, produced by injecting a non-lethal amount of venom into a host animal, such as a horse, and then harvesting the serum. This serum, which has high concentrations of antibodies, is then processed and administered to a person suffering from envenomation.
Diphtheria antitoxin is an example of a serum produced in horses used to treat diphtheria infections by neutralizing the toxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. However, antivenom is distinct as it's used specifically for venom neutralization. Despite its life-saving capabilities, it might lead to serum sickness, an immune response due to the introduction of foreign proteins present in the horse serum.
Medical professionals must sometimes choose between antibacterial treatments, like antibiotics, or antitoxin treatments when dealing with certain infections. While antibiotics are effective against the bacteria, they are ineffective against preformed toxins, wherein antitoxins become crucial for patient survival.
Overall, for the question regarding the serum from immunized horses, the correct answer is Antivenom, which plays a distinct role in neutralizing venoms compared to other medicinal agents such as antibiotics, antihistamines, and anticoagulants.