STUDIES ON HAEMOPHILUS PERTUSSIS

IX. ON THE IMMUNOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE TOXIN OF H. PERTUSSIS

Abstract

1) A method for the fractionation and concentration of the pertussal thermolabile toxin, nontoxic protein, agglutinogen, and polysaccharide from the bacterial cells cultured in the casamino acids liquid medium containing 0.5% charcoal was described.
2) The thermolabile toxin obtained in this experiment appeared to be a simple protein.
3) In comparative tests of the prophylactic potency of each antigen by the mouse protection test, that of the agglutinogen and polysaccharide was undetectable, the toxic fraction was more efficient than the nontoxic protein components.
4) It was impossible to differentiate the toxin and the protective antigen by mild chemical procedure at low temperature.