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The Deterioration of Diphtheria Toxin in Dilution

From the Division of Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, Albany

Abstract

1. Dilutions of freshly prepared diphtheria toxin of 1:100 or less in phenolized 0.85-per-cent NaCl solution, while stored at from 3° to 8°C. for approximately two years, followed a curve of deterioration similar to that of the undiluted toxins from which they were made.

2. After reaching a state of relative stability such dilutions withstood, without appreciable loss in potency, five days' exposure to conditions involving moderate temperatures and transportation.

3. The 1:100 dilutions did not maintain their potency when subjected for five days to conditions involving extreme heat and transportation, although the routine undiluted toxin for the Schick test which accompanied them gave no evidence of deterioration. The dilutions were also affected by frequent alternations between room temperature and extreme cold.