Human Serum Albumin as a Stabilizing Agent for Schick Toxin

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Abstract
To prevent occasional reactions thought to be due to the presence of peptone, human serum albumin was used as a stabilizing agent for diphtheria toxin for the Schick test. Stability was detd. by heating for 24 hrs. at 37[degree]C and 41[degree]C. Merthiolate 1:10,000 was used as a preservative. Adequate protection of diluted diphtheria toxin was obtained by 0.1% albumin but 0.2% gave better protection. Phenol should not be used as preservative as 0.2% albumin failed to prevent deterioration. Schick toxin stabilized with albumin shows as high a stability as any peptone-diluted toxin observed. Similar results were obtained with 3 different lots of albumin. A comparison of albumin and peptone stabilized Schick toxin in. 215 individuals indicate the suitability of the albumin stabilized product and is recommended by the authors for general use.