Blocking Antibodies in Rabbits Infected with Brucella melitensis.

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Abstract
Three rabbits infected heavily with B. melitensis developed hypergammaglobulinemia, agglutinating and blocking antibodies. Treatment of 3 similarly infected rabbits with streptomycin and tetracycline prevented hypergammaglobulinemia and the development of blocking antibodies. Studies indicated that the increased serum gamma globulins in the former group could not be absorbed out by B. abortis tube antigen. Blocking antibodies to a titer of 1:80 appeared by the 29th day in untreated rabbits; these persisted through the 59th day. Cultures of autopsied livers at the 59th day revealed massive Brucella infestation in the untreated rabbits; only a few colonies were cultured from this organ of treated animals. These studies suggest that the blocking antibody appears only with persistent contact of massive amounts of brucellar antigen with antibody-producing mechanisms.