Determination of DTaP vaccine potency by multiplex immunogenicity testing using electrochemiluminescence.

Lot release testing of diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccines traditionally relied on in vivo protection models involving challenge of laboratory animals with toxins. Meanwhile, many labs have switched to serological testing of these vaccines, which is often performed in separate in vivo assays, even if all components were formulated into one vaccine product. Here we describe the results of simultaneous serological potency determination of diphtheria (D), tetanus (T) and acellular pertussis (aP) antigens obtained following immunization of guinea pigs with multicomponent pediatric and booster vaccines from different manufacturers. The 4th World Health Organization (WHO) International Standard (IS) for diphtheria toxoid (No. 07/216) and the 4th WHO IS for tetanus toxoid (No. 08/218) were used as reference preparations. For aP, a pediatric vaccine batch containing the antigens pertussis toxoid, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin and fimbriae proteins type 2/3 was established as internal control. Quantification of IgG against D, T and aP antigens in guinea pig sera was performed using a hexaplex electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. We further provide proof-of-concept using experimental vaccine samples lacking or containing reduced amounts of diphtheria toxoid in the presence of full amounts of tetanus and pertussis antigens and alum adjuvant. Importantly, the assay confirmed dose-response relationships for all antigens tested and was able to detect diphtheria out-of-specification batches. The results confirmed the suitability of the protocol for combined serology batch release testing of DTaP combination vaccines as first measure towards implementation of full in vitro testing of DTaP vaccines. This report summarizes the data and the protocol used for validation prior to implementation of this method in routine batch release testing of DTaP vaccines, which led to replacement of in vivo challenge experiments in our laboratory following the 3 R (replace, reduce, refine) principle.

How to draw the line - Raman spectroscopy as a tool for the assessment of biomedicines.

Biomedicines are complex biochemical formulations with multiple components that require extensive quality control during manufacturing and in subsequent batch testing. A proof-of-concept study has shown that an application of Raman spectroscopy can be beneficial for a classification of vaccines. However, the complexity of biomedicines introduces new challenges to spectroscopic methodology that require advanced experimental protocols. We further show the impact of analytical protocols on vaccine classification using R as an Open Source data analysis platform. In conclusion, we advocate for standardized and transparent experimental and analytical procedures and discuss current findings and open challenges.

[Development and prevalidation of alternative methods for the potency testing of C. perfringens vaccines]

The requirements for the quality control of C. perfringens vaccines for veterinary use are described in the monograph 363 of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). In the current used potency test neutralising antibodies against C. perfringens beta- and epsilontoxin are determined in a mouse neutralisation test (MNT). Two ELISA methods were developed for the replacement of the MNT. Both methods use monoclonal antibodies to determine the quantity of specific antibodies against beta toxin (Capture-ELISA) and epsilon toxin (Competitive-ELISA) in vitro. In parallel to the routine batch potency test in mice, the beta- and epsilonantitoxin levels in 523 samples were estimated in the ELISA procedures. A high specificity and a good reproducibility are evident for both test systems. An interlaboratory prevalidation study was carried out to evaluate the relevance and the transferability of the ELISA procedures. It is concluded that both ELISA systems seems to be suitable alternative methods for assessing the potency of beta- and epsilontoxoid in batches of vaccines for veterinary use.

[An in vitro alternative to the mouse neutralisation assay for potency testing of betatoxoid containing Clostridium, perfringens type B and type C vaccines for veterinary use]

The quality control of Clostridium (C.) perfringens type B and type C vaccines requires animal experiments according to European Pharmacopoiea monograph 363. For potency estimation, the vaccine is first administered to rabbits. In a second step antibodies from these rabbits against C. perfringens betatoxin are measured quantitatively in a mouse neutralisation assay using lethal doses of betatoxin for the challenge. We report about the development of an in vitro assay enabling specific and reproducible measurement of antibodies against C. perfringens betatoxin in rabbit sera. A Capure-Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody against betatoxin as catching antibody was used. A rabbit serumpool freeze dried in 3500 aliquots was always used as reference. This reference serum can be supplied for further national or international collaborative studies. The estimation of relative potency of unknown sera in a parallel line assay was calculated with a computer programme provided by the World health organisation (WHO). The capture-ELISA did not show unspecific reactivity with pre-vaccination sera of cross-reactivity with sera from rabbits immunised with other clostridial antigens e.g. C. perfringens type D, C. chavoei or C. tetani. Reproducibility studies focused on the linear parts of the dose-response curves resulted in intra-assay coefficient of variations of less then 10%. The inter-assay coefficient varied between 12-25% depending on the serum dilutions used. Correlation studies between the result of the animal experiment (only one test) and the capture-ELISA (10 repetitions) from four rabbit serum pools revealed a coefficient of correlation of 0.81-0.84 depending on the basis for calculation of r (Mean or Median from ELISA repetitions). Therefore this test may be a suitable alternative for the currently required mouse neutralisation assay. For acceptance of this test by the European Pharmacopoiea further validation studies are necessary.

[Detection of antibodies against Pasteurella multocida toxin with a cell culture method and an enzyme immunoassay]

Pasteurella multocida toxoid is the most important antigen in vaccines against progressive atrophic rhinitis in pigs. Testing antibodies against Pasteurella multocida toxin in a cell culture neutralisation assay on embryonic bovine lung cells and a modified, commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAKO, Denmark) is sensitive and gives good reproducible results. Determination of antitoxin antibodies in swine and guinea pigs simultaneously in both methods resulted in good coefficients of correlation (r = 0.88 and 0.93). Induction of antibodies to Pasteurella multocida toxin by thirty batches of ten toxoid containing vaccines was tested by subcutaneous application of one fifth pigdose (0.4-1 ml) twice in intervals of three weeks. The animals showed neither signs if illness nor significant local or systemic reactions. Three weeks after the second immunisation 25 batches induced titres being at least 2 log2 dilutions higher than a parallel titrated reference serum (mean titre of reference serum was 1:23.26