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A METHOD FOR THE RAPID PREPARATION OF ANTIMENINGITIS SERUM
1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
Abstract:
Potent antimeningitis serum can be safely produced in the horse by the method of three successive intravenous inoculations of living meningococci and parameningococci repeated at stated intervals. Sudden and alarming symptoms and sudden death are avoided by employing first a desensitizing injection and then by adjusting the doses according to the febrile reaction and by making the highly diluted injections slowly. Horses undergoing this process of immunization remain in good condition and may even gain in weight. Specific immune bodies appear in the serum early and rise rapidly. By inoculating alternately several strains of living meningococci and parameningococci, and the autolyzed products of each, a polyvalent serum of high titer can be produced in 8 to 12 weeks instead of in the 10 months required by the subcutaneous method. The serum produced by this rapid method has been employed therapeutically in America, England, France, and some other countries. It is highly desirable to isolate meningococci from many sources and test the strains against the polyvalent serum. Strains which are not agglutinated in high dilution in such a serum should be included subsequently in the lot of strains used for immunization.
Insights
A new method safely produces potent antimeningitis serum in horses using intravenous inoculations. This rapid immunization process yields high-titer polyvalent serum for treating meningitis effectively.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Meningitis remains a significant public health concern, necessitating effective treatments.
- Production of antimeningitis serum has historically been a lengthy process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid and safe method for producing potent antimeningitis serum in horses.
- To optimize the immunization process for increased efficiency and safety.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a series of intravenous inoculations of living meningococci and parameningococci in horses.
- Employing a desensitizing injection and adjusting doses based on febrile reactions to prevent adverse effects.
- Alternating inoculations with different strains and their autolyzed products to create a polyvalent serum.
Main Results:
- The intravenous method safely produced potent antimeningitis serum with high antibody titers.
- Horses undergoing immunization maintained good health and showed rapid increases in specific immune bodies.
- Serum production time was significantly reduced to 8-12 weeks compared to the traditional 10 months.
Conclusions:
- The described intravenous immunization technique is a safe and efficient method for producing high-titer polyvalent antimeningitis serum.
- This rapid serum production method has been successfully used therapeutically in multiple countries.
- Further isolation and testing of meningococcal strains are recommended to enhance the polyvalent serum's efficacy.
