THE IMPORTANCE OF METAL SALTS IN IMMUNIZATION AND ESPECIALLY IN THE PRODUCTION OF DIPHTHERIA ANTITOXIN AND OF AGGLUTININ FOR B. COLI
Abstract
Intravenous injection of manganese chloride (MnCl2) as well as of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) during immunization increases considerably the antitoxin level of goats immunized against diphtheria toxin. Manganese chloride seems to have a stronger effect than cobalt chloride. Intravenous injection of manganese chloride and of cobalt chloride in horses that are immunized against diphtheria causes a very marked increase in the antitoxin production, when given during the period of antitoxin drop and without any toxin injection. Manganese chloride, administered orally has no influence on antitoxin production. The injected manganese disappears quickly from the circulation. The elimination of the metal occurs mainly through the mucous membrane of the intestines. Immunization in itself does not cause changes in the normal manganese content of the different organs; only the liver undergoes a reduction to one fourth of its normal manganese content due to the immunization. The effect of metal salt injections on the production of agglutinin for B. coli varies widely according to the nature of the salts. There seems to be a certain relation in the majority of cases between the atom number of the injected metal and the magnitude of the effect, either in the form of a direct proportionality or an inverse proportionality, depending on the group to which the metal belongs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0835887
Entities
People
- J. R. Moerch
- L. D. Walbum
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories