Tetanus immune globulin from selected human plasmas. Six years of experience with a screening method

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Abstract
Since September 1959 the Biologic Laboratories of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health have been screening all in-coming plasma from outdated human blood for tetanus antitoxin titer, by means of the passive hemagglutination method. Batches having titers greater than 1 unit/ml (later increased to 2 units/ml) were set aside in the frozen state until sufficient volume had accu-mulated to be processed separately for production of tetanus im-mune globulin by the cold ethanol method routinely employed in our continuing plasma salvage program. Three lots of this immune globulin have been made available to the population for passive prophylaxis against tetanus where indicated, in the recommended dosage of 250 units contained in a volume of 4. 5 or 5. 0 ml. During the 6 1/2 years of this operation, the plasma acceptance rate for this use has steadily increased because of the improving immune status of blood donors. The current rate will insure larger batches in the near-future, making possible a reduction in the injection volume and a more liberal distribution policy.

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