Quantitative estimation of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. 4. Toxoids as international reference materials defining Lf-units for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids

The Lf-unit, which is used in the control of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid production and in some countries also to follow immunization of horses for production of antitoxins, has hitherto been defined by means of antitoxin preparations. A diphtheria toxoid and a tetanus toxoid preparation, both freeze-dried, were examined in an international collaborative study for their suitability to serve as reference reagents in the flocculation tests and for defining the Lf-units. It was shown that flocculation tests using the reference toxoids are very reproducible and reliable and the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization established: the toxoid called DIFT as the International Reference Reagent of Diphtheria Toxoid for Flocculation Test with a defined content of 900 Lf-units of diphtheria toxoid per ampoule; and the toxoid called TEFT as the International Reference Reagent of Tetanus Toxoid for Flocculation Test with a defined content of 1000 Lf-units of diphtheria toxoid per ampoule.     

Quantitative estimation of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. 5. Comparative assays in mice and in guinea-pigs of two diphtheria toxoid preparations

Two freeze-dried international reference diphtheria toxoids of different origin were compared in biological assays in guinea-pigs and mice under different adjuvant conditions. When the antigenic content in the two toxoids was used as denominator for determination of relative potency, that is to say quantitation of immunogenic power per unit amount of antigen, the design of the animal assay proved to have a major influence. Similar observations have been made previously also for tetanus vaccines. It is concluded that diphtheria vaccines as well as tetanus vaccines can hardly be quantitated unambiguously using the currently recommended potency assays in animals. A new scheme for control of toxoid vaccine production is suggested, with more emphasis on the control of the bulk purified toxoid, which would make the release of final products more simple and rapid.     

Quantitative estimation of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. 3. Comparative assays in mice and in guinea-pigs of two tetanus toxoid preparations

Two freeze-dried international reference tetanus toxoids of different origin and purified by different methods were compared in various potency assay systems, in vitro as well as in vivo. When the antigenic contents in the two toxoids are used as the basis for expressing the relative potency, different tests in animals gave different potencies. It is concluded that, as a result of such differences, tetanus vaccines can hardly be quantitated unambiguously in potency assays in animals. Since, however, a biological immunogenicity control seems necessary, a more simple type of test is suggested, which will require much less resources in terms of animals and manpower.     

The quantitative estimation of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. 1. The flocculation test and the Lf-unit

Considerable confusion exist in the quantitative estimation of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. The present paper is the first in a series of papers comparing various quantitative methods. It describes the flocculation test, gives a mathematical model for the three-dimensional reaction surface, and suggests different designs which facilitate the unbiased calculation of the end-point.     

Comparative quantitation for the protein content of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids by DC protein assay and Kjeldahl method.

DPT, a combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis is available since many years and still continued in the national immunisation schedule of many countries. Although highly potent, reactions to DPT vaccine are well known, mainly attributed to the factors like Pertussis component, aluminum adjuvant and lower purity of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids. The latter most important aspect has become a matter of concern, specially for the preparation of next generation combination vaccines with more number of antigens in combination with DPT.Purity of toxoid is expressed as Lf (Limes flocculation) per mg of protein nitrogen. The Kjeldahl method (KM) of protein nitrogen estimation suggested by WHO and British Pharmacopoeia is time consuming and less specific. Need has been felt to explore an alternative method which is quick and more specific for toxoid protein determination. DC (detergent compatible) protein assay, an improved Lowry's method, has been found to be much more advantageous than Kjeldahl method.     

Quantitative turbidimetric assay for potency evaluation of colchicine-like drugs.

A modified Shelanski method has been applied to quantitatively compare cochicine-like drugs with regard to their inhibition of the rate of rat brain tubulin polymerisation $\text{in vitro}$. The potency of six known microtubule-disrupting drugs was in increasing order: griseofulvin < colchicine < podophyllotoxin < rotenone < vinblastine < vincristine. Two other drugs which have been claimed to interfere with microtubules, melatonin and isopropyl-n-phenylcarbamate were inactive. Methyl benzimidazol-2-yl-carbamate showed only a marginal effect. The usefulness of the method in screening colchicine-like drugs is discussed.     

人破伤风类毒素免疫血浆筛选试验中两种抗体检测方法的比较

应用酶联免疫法(ELISA)和间接血凝法(IHA)对1014份破伤风类毒素全程免疫后人血浆进行抗体水平检测,比较两者的收浆率、收浆符合率以及与动物实验的相关性。结果表明两者收浆率均达80%。ELISA法与IHA法的合格浆符合率达92%,与动物实验的相关性更好。ELISA法操作简便快速,结果判读客观明确,优于传统的IHA法,可作为人破伤风类毒素免疫血浆筛选的常规方法。     

Standardization and validation of Vero cell assay for potency estimation of diphtheria antitoxin serum

Diphtheria toxin has the capacity to block protein synthesis in cultured mammalian cells, and thus causing cell death. This capacity of diphtheria toxin was utilized for in-vitro neutralization test to determine antibody titer, using Vero cells, which have been found to be susceptible to diphtheria toxin. In the present study, a Vero cell assay was standardized and validated for potency estimation of diphtheria antitoxin serum (DATS). The results obtained by Vero cell assay were compared with in-vivo biological assay. High degree of correlation (+0.98) was found between in-vivo biological assay and in-vitro Vero cell assay. The assay has also been found to be effective in determining the rising antibody titer in the equines inducted in DATS production. The present study indicated that although biological assays hold the key for final potency estimations till date but in the future scenario in-vitro Vero cell assay may be a good alternative to in-vivo biological assay.     

Calibration of replacement international standards of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids for use in flocculation test

The 1st International Reference Reagents (IRR) of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids for Flocculation Test (DIFT and TEFT) were established by the WHO in 1988. These reagents are essential for the standardization of assays used to calculate Lf units of toxoids. Candidate replacement materials were provided by several European vaccine manufacturers and were formulated and freeze-dried at NIBSC. This paper provides a summary of the results of an international collaborative study including 18 laboratories from 16 countries, which examined the candidate replacement materials in a variety of methods. Materials 02/176 and 04/150 were proposed and adopted by the Expert Committee on Biological Standardization of WHO in October 2007 as 2nd WHO International Standards of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid for use in Flocculation Test. The replacement standards were assigned the value of 1100 and 690Lf/ampoule, respectively, based on results of flocculation tests carried out using provided reagents. Material coded 02/176 fully complied with the WHO specifications for stability, residual moisture content, precision of fill and sterility. Stability of material coded 04/150 was slightly lower than expected but predictions were based only on 2-year data and were to be further monitored, post-adoption.