IMMUNOGENICITY OF CEPHALOSPORIN DERIVATIVES AND THEIR CROSS-REACTION WITH PENICILLIN

  • 1 January 1966
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (1) , 21-+
Abstract
Cephalo-thin and cephaloridine, antibiotics with the 7-amino cephalosporanic acid nucleus, have been shown to form protein conjugates which were able to stimulate production of haemagglutinating, precipitating and guinea pig skin-sensitizing antibodies in the rabbit. A high degree of cross-reaction with the benzyl penicilloyl determinant group was demonstrated, but evidence was found of only very limited cross-reaction with the haptenic determinant of the penicillin nucleus, 6-amino penicillanic acid. Cephalothin did not induce contact sensitivity in guinea pigs. These results are discussed with particular respect to the relative parts which the side chain and nucleus of these related antibiotics play in determining antigenic specificity.