Antigenic and Immunogenic Studies on Purified Tetanus Toxoid

Abstract

Summary Tetanus toxoids were prepared by two different methods. Toxoid produced in a protein-free medium did not differ in its basic qualities from that produced in a medium containing considerable quantities of protein. When the toxoids were purified by alcohol fractionation and diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose column chromatography, specific activities of 2500 Lf/mg of nitrogen (infusion medium toxoids) and 2630 Lf/mg of nitrogen (protein-free medium toxoids) were obtained. It was demonstrated that no statistically significant antigenic difference was obtained with toxoid of approximately 2320 Lf/mg of nitrogen as compared with toxoid of 1330 Lf/mg of nitrogen. There was no loss of ability to induce a satisfactory immune response after purification to a high degree. The involvement of toxoids purified to varying degrees in the production of hypersensitivity is discussed.