Simplified activity evaluation of several tetanus vaccines

The activity of several Tetanus Toxoids, Adsorbed, (commercial vaccines and references) were tested in mice in comparison with a standard, by a simple method, easier than the official challenge test (WHO and European Pharmacopoeia): the Tetanus Antitoxin level was titrated by agglutination of sensitized turkey red blood cells after immunization by the toxoids. Immuno-stimulation by the Pertussis component in associated vaccines was studied and the results with the conventional and the acellular Pertussis preparations were prepared. The method was also found to be suitable for Tetanus Toxoids, Non-Adsorbed, when a booster effect was used, except for the adjuvant-free polymerized antigen (POLAN) which did not require a booster, since it gave almost as good results as conventional adsorbed tetanus vaccines.