The estimation of host antigen in experimental and commercial influenza subunit preparations by delayed-type...

A delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) test has been used to detect the presence of host-specific antigen(s) in highly-purified egg-grown influenza virus and virus components. Cyclophosphamide-treated mice, primed with an extract from allantoic fluid, showed DTH reactions when challenged with whole virus, spikeless virus particles or polymer-type subunits. All commercial egg-grown influenza vaccines showed the presence of host antigen, whereas lipid-free derivatives such as internal virus protein complexes and monomer HA preparations lacked the activity. These findings are discussed in relation to vaccine application.