Quantitative determination of diphtheria antibodies in guinea pigs: I - persistency of diphtheria antitoxin levels in sera of animals inoculated with diphtheria toxoid

Abstract

The behavior of the kinetic genesis of antibodies in guinea pigs inoculated with doses of an alum precipitated diphtheria toxoid was studied. In a parallel study the dynamic of passive immunity, naturally transmitted to the offspring, was examined. In immunized guinea pigs, it was verified that the diphtheria antitoxin synthesis maintains detectable titers up to 36 months. Antibodies transfered via placenta by the vaccinated mother reached a plasmic concentration in the newborn superior to that of the mother, and the passive immunity persisted in the circulation of the offspring at titers detectable for up to approximately three months.