[Determination of antigen structures of Pasteurella multocida: the preparation of vaccines]

The discovery of the role played by somatic antigens of the Pasteurella multocida A and D capsular types in the immunization of susceptible species makes it necessary to type the somatic antigens of the isolated strains prior to any action to induce active or passive immunity. Only immunoprecipitation in gel was chosen out of the various typing techniques proposed, and a correlation was established between the capsular types (according to Carter), somatic types (according to Namioka) and types determined by immunoprecipitation in gel (according to Heddleston). Parallel to this, the same technique was developed for strains of Pasteurella multocida B and E capsular types, and the immunogenicity of these capsular antigens was proven.