EFFECT OF FREEZING ON DIPHTHERIA TOXIN-ANTITOXIN MIXTURES

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Abstract
Early in January, 1924, it was reported1that, following the administration of diphtheria toxin-antitoxin that had been frozen, there developed in children, some forty in number, severe local reactions and constitutional disturbances. According to the tests made in the state board of health laboratory of Massachusetts and in the Hygienic Laboratory in Washington, it was found that when the unfrozen preparation was injected into guinea-pigs, a normal reaction was experienced; but that after freezing, the material became toxic. The diphtheria toxin-antitoxin used in these cases, and which developed toxicity after freezing, contained one L + dose of toxin partially neutralized with antitoxin. Occasionally some workers have reported that diphtheria toxin-antitoxin mixtures have become more toxic on keeping; but the majority have believed that these observations are erroneous. The occurrences in Boston make quite possible an explanation as to the reason for the occasional observation of increased toxicity on the keeping

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