Mode of action of immunological adjuvants: some physicochemical factors influencing the effectivity of polyacrylic adjuvants.

The adjuvant effects of different polyacrylic products and monomers were tested. Influenza vaccine was used as a model antigen. Addition of monomers resulted in a decrease in the antibody response, though adjuvant activity of the monomers should be expected according to some theories on adjuvant action. The particle size of the polymer adjuvants proved to be a very important parameter for adjuvant activity. Particles of 0.1 to 0.2 micron yielded a good adjuvant effect, whereas conglomerates or particles bigger than 0.5 micron yielded only poor or no adjuvant effects. The adjuvant effect of 0.1- to 0.2-micron particles was much more reproducible than rat of Al(OH)3. Attention is drawn to the importance of using physiochemically reproducible materials, such as polymer particles, for experimental work.

[Effectiveness and tolerance of the rabies vaccine Lyssavac Berna]. / Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit des Tollwutimpfstoffes Lyssavac Berna

Rabies vaccine derived from human diploid cells (Wyeth, Merieux) and the duck embryo vaccine Lyssavac Berna are prepared from beta-propiolactone-inactivated Pitman-Moore vaccine virus strain. A group of 113 seronegative veterinary students was vaccinated with Lyssavac Berna according to the 4-dose immunization schedule recommended by WHO. Seroconversion was obtained in all test persons. The vaccine was very well tolerated. In agreement with the literature we also found a relatively fast decline in the neutralizing antibody titer after this immunization procedure. However, a booster injection after one year resulted in an antibody rise with titer values comparable with or higher than those obtained after the primary vaccination course. An annual single revaccination dose should be sufficient to protect people at risk.