A Study of Certain Factors Which Influence the Determination of the Mouse Protective Action of Meningococcus Antiserum

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Abstract
Eight strains of moningococci. directly from spinal fluid, were grown on 8 media[long dash]4 solid and 4 semi-solid; the former were better for maintenance of virulence, especially 5%; rabbit blood agar and 5% serum, 0.5% glucose agar slants. Various strains of highly virulent meningococci differed in susceptibility to antiserum but comparable protective values in relation to control serum were obtained with the majority of them. The important factors in selection of mice are that they come from a pure closely inbred susceptible strain and that in a test the mice vary in wt. not more than 4 g. and are of one sex or equally distributed according to sex[long dash][female][female] were about twice as susceptible as [male][male]- Neopeptone, proteose peptone, distilled water, saline, Ringer''s and Locke''s solns. were used for the first suspension fluid of the meningococci; only the peptone solns. could be used without injurious action on the bacteria. Different lots of mucin varied in suitability. Prepns. with 0.5% NaCl and 0.5% glucose were best. Comparable results were obtained with autoclave or "Arnold" sterilized preparations; the latter was more viscous. YViih a test dose of 100,000 M.L.D. the best protection was obtained when serum preceded culture 1 hr. as compared with 4 hrs. preceding and simultaneously with the culture.

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