Anne C. Kimball

Studies with H. Pertussis

Summary Antitoxin for the two known toxins of H. pertussis is not found in human convalescent or hyperimmune human serum. Agglutinins or antibacterial antibodies are found in high titer in the hyperimmune serum of known high clinical potency. Agglutination is recommended as a means of assay of such sera and should be used routinely as a laboratory control test in the production of such sera for clinical use. A procedure for immunization of adult donors is discussed, and the technique for use of agglutination in such assays is presented in detail. Titers of the sera of a group of human donors during the course of immunization are recorded. Most striking is the variation that occurs in different donors in response to immunization and also in any given donor from time to time. This makes it imperative to follow immunization by laboratory assays of the sera and to use the results as a guide in the selection of donors.

Studies on H. pertussis. I. Liberation by Sonic Vibration of a Soluble Component That Absorbs Phase I Agglutinins

Summary Filtered extracts of H. pertussis obtained by sonic disintegration of Phase I organisms have been found to absorb to completion the agglutinins from homologous rabbit antiserum of high titer. The soluble preparations now available and known as Endoantigen, Topagen and Detoxified Pertussis antigen were found to be devoid of such activity within the limits of sensitivity of the method used.