Tryptic activation of prototoxin of Clostridium botulinum type E increased the lethal toxicity by 250-fold, but no compatible increase in the antitoxin-combining power resulted. The formol toxoid derived from prototoxin and that from trypsin-activated 12S toxin were the same in the antigenic specificity, but prototoxin toxoid stimulated formation of a larger amount of antitoxin in guinea pigs a...

Sir, In their recent correspondence, Chu et al. noted the first observation of qnrA3 in salmonellae in Hong Kong, underlining the spread and diversity of plasmidic quinoloneresistance determinants worldwide. Such determinants now include qnrA1–5, qnrB and qnrS, some of which, at least, protect DNA gyrase, as well as the fluoroquinolone-acetylating variant of the aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and correlates of diphtheria and tetanus in Edirne, Turkey. Tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among 99 participants, a diphtheria antitoxin level of >or=0.1 IU/mL was found in 97 (98%), while 2 (2%) had antitoxin levels of 0.011-0.099 IU/mL. The geometric mean titres (GMTs) in me...

We have produced antitoxin to the toxin of Clostridium difficile in rabbits and in goats. Antitoxin dilutions of 1/8,000 and 1/5,120 were capable of neutralizing lethal doses of the toxin in mice and in tissue culture, respectively.

Every year there are hundreds of snake bites in Europe, but the main problems occur in tropical areas. Symptoms such as hemorrhages, paralysis and local necrosis vary according to the snake species. Inappropriate first aid should be avoided. Antitoxin should be administered if there are signs of poisoning. It is never too late to give antitoxin. Antitoxin can have a number of potentially very d...

The prevalence of immunity against diphtheria among Okayama local government staff members involved in diphtheria infection control was measured. Diphtheria booster vaccination was administered to staff members with low antitoxin levels (<0.1 IU/ml) in order to reinforce of immunity. Ninety-one (36.7%) of 248 staff members, 20-69 years of age, had fully protective antitoxin levels (> or =0.1 IU...

Botulinum neurotoxins are bacterial proteins that cause botulism, a life-threatening disease. Therapy relies mostly on post-intoxication antibody treatment. The only accepted method to measure the potency of, and to approve, antitoxin preparations is the mouse lethality neutralization bioassay. However, this assay is time-consuming, labor-intensive, costly, and raises ethical issues related to ...