Immunization of Humans and Animals with Gas Gangrene Toxoids

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Abstract
Summary: Alum precipitated Cl. perfringens and Cl. oedematiens toxoids have been prepared from potent toxic filtrates. These toxoids have been demonstrated to be effective in producing a measurable and protective titer of antibodies in mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, dogs and humans. In the animals, good protection against multiple doses of toxin and culture has been obtained. Protection of animals against heterologous as well as homologous strains of culture was demonstrated. Titers have been regularly achieved in humans which in smaller animals have shown good protection against toxin and culture challenge. In humans, very little rise of antitoxin titer was observed after one dose of Perfringens toxoid Lb=15. After two doses 50 to 75 per cent of individuals showed fairly good titers. When a third dose was given 3 to 9 months after the second dose excellent titers were obtained in practically all individuals and these titers were maintained for at least seven months. Good protective titers against Oedematiens were obtained with two doses of toxoid of as low a potency as 40 test doses (Lb=0.8). Very good response was obtained to a third dose of toxoid at 16 weeks after the second dose. Divalent toxoids (Perfringens-Oedematiens) have been prepared by mixing adequate amounts of the monovalent alum toxoids. These divalent toxoids have shown very adequate protective response (antibody titers and protection against toxin and culture) in mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and goats. Trials in humans have shown adequate response to three (3) doses of toxoid. The toxoids made for human use were prepared on a commercial scale and passed all safety tests as outlined by the National Institute of Health. The alum toxoids tested in humans did not produce local or systemic reactions in a great majority of the volunteers tested. Where reactions were obtained they were in a majority of the cases not as severe as those produced by alum tetanus or diphtheria toxoids or typhoid vaccine. Tests of the antigenicity of various toxoid preparations in mice and guinea pigs are given for comparison with the response subsequently obtained in humans. Data on the immunization of dogs and goats are also given.
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