Ability of ELISA and a toxin neutralization assay to detect changes in immunogenicity of a recombinant Bacillus anthracis protective antigen vaccine upon storage
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Updated: May 17, 2026

Opsono-Adherence Assay to Evaluate Functional Antibodies in Vaccine Development Against Bacillus anthracis and Other Encapsulated Pathogens
Published on: May 19, 2020
Rocío I Domínguez-Castillo1, Anita Verma, Juan C Amador-Molina
1Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Mail Code HFM-443, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
Abstract:
We examined the capability of a mouse immunogenicity assay to detect improper storage of a recombinant protective antigen (rPA)-based anthrax vaccine formulated with an aluminum adjuvant, using ELISA and a toxin neutralization assay (TNA) to measure the antibody response to rPA. The vaccine was stored at 4 °C, room temperature (RT) or 37 °C for one, four and eight weeks and used for immunization, along with freshly prepared vaccine. Results showed that, contrary to ELISA, TNA is suitable to detect a loss of immunogenicity of the rPA vaccine following its exposure to RT for a period of eight weeks and to 37 °C for a period as short as 1 week.

