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The Effect of Temperature on the Antigenic Value of Diphtheria Toxoid

Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Health, New York City

Abstract

According to Ramon (1), the diphtheria toxoid retains its properties indefinitely. After being kept at room temperature at 18° to 22°C. or icebox from five to seven years, his toxoids gave the original value and initial flocculation, though the latter was somewhat retarded. The same worker found that heating the toxoid at 65°C. or even at 70°C. did not diminish its flocculating or antigenic value. The heated anatoxin retains its dissociating capacity in contrast to the heated toxin. Thus when he added cc. of a toxoid containing 10 flocculating units per cubic centimeter and heated at 80°C. for fifteen minutes to an Lo mixture and injected into guinea pig, the animal died in forty-eight hours. The animal lived when it was injected with an Lo mixture to which 1 cc. of heated-at-70°C. toxin was added. However, only a completely detoxified toxoid offers much resistance to heat.