ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the possibility of immune prevention and cure for tetrodotoxin (TTX) intoxication and develop an antitoxin vaccine against TTX.Methods:TTX was conjugated to Tachypleus tridentatus hemocyanin(TTH) in presence of formaldehyde and this conjugate(TTX-TTH) was used as an immunogen to immunize Balb/C mice.The quality of antisera in animal was detected on schedule by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and competition-inhibited enzyme immunoassay(CIEIA).Mice immunized with TTX-TTH were challenged intraperitoneally with lethal doses of TTX(1LD=13.5 ?g/kg).Results:The high titer and affinity of antisera could last for a time as long as more than one year.The immunized mice were ip challenged with 1?LD of TTX once and again at a fixed period,there was a affirmative antitoxic effect in about 12 months(total 15?LD),and a partial effect in following time;about one fourth of animal survived till 24 months post initial immunization(total 26?LD),and which was at a stage of senescence in mice.The anti-TTX poisoning effect of animal was approximately consistent with the antisera quality tested.Conclusion:The experimental vaccine of TTX could effectively protect animal from TTX intoxication and its effect was of longer duration of validity.Immunoprophylaxis would be the hopeful means for detoxification of TTX. [
ABSTRACT
Tetrodotoxin(TTX) was coupled to Tachypleus tridentatus hemocyanin (TTH) chemically to form an artificial antigen.Balb/c mice were immunized with TTX TTH. The immunologic effect of different immunization schedules [14～20d for longer interval (group L) and 7～10d for shorter interval (group S)] of experimental anti TTX vaccine was compared. The quality of antisera and effect of vaccine on TTX poisoning were detected. The antibody quality of serum was increased more quickly in group S than that in group L after immunization. The average survival rates were 99 3% and 92 9%, respectively ( P