[A new possibility of "non-parenteral" (local) vaccination: immunization per wound (author's transl)]

Hitherto the term "non-parenteral" (local) vaccination meant all those modes of vaccination where the vaccine is applied on the skin or the mucous membranes. The most common types of local immunization are oral and nasal vaccination. Using model studies with the mouse immunization per wound was investigated as an alternative mode of vaccination. Immunization was done with tetanus-toxoid, efficiency was tested by challenge with 10 LD50 tetanus toxin. For immunization per wound only slightly higher antigen doses are necessary compared with subcutaneous immunization. A single subcutaneous vaccination with 2 Lf tetanus-toxoid and a single application per wound of 10 Lf resulted in the same efficiency index of 100. Immunization per wound has to be carried out immediately after injury. It seems to be optimal within the first 3 to 5 hours. At a later time the same efficiency index can only be achieved by use of a higher antigen doses. Immunization per wound is possible with all kinds of wound, even with burns. Size of wound and wound-supply do not influence the efficacy of wound-immunization. Immunization per wound does not disturb wound healing. The experiments reported here showed, for the first time, that immunization per wound is as effective as parenteral immunization. The most important advantage of wound-immunization is the speed and ease with which it can be administered, a fact which predestines it for vaccination in emergency cases. In practice it will be useful to combine wound-vaccination with wound-sprays.