The use of a multicomponent standard for clostridial vaccines

A multicomponent clostridial vaccine in being developed with the objective of acting as a standard preparation for the control of vaccines containing one to eight components. It is intended initially for use in monitoring those components which can be assessed by antitoxin response assays in rabbits. The components involved, therefore, are the principle toxoids of Clostridium (perfringens) welchii types B, C and D, Cl. oedematiens type B, Cl. septicum and Cl. tetani. The proposed standard also contains the toxoid of Cl. oedematiens type D and an anaculture of Cl. chauvoei. It is hoped later to develop the use of the two latter components as standards in other test systems. The aim of establishing the standard was to provide a means of controlling inter-laboratory variation, especially that due to animals.