Antibody Formation in Volunteers Following Injection of Pneumococci or Their Type-Specific Polysaccharides

Antibody Formation in Volunteers Following Injection of Pneumococci or Their Type-Specific Polysaccharides

Contributor(s):
Heidelberger, Michael
MacLeod, Colin M. (Colin Munro), 1909-1972
Kaiser, Samuel J.
Robinson, Betty
Journal of Experimental Medicine
Publication:
Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, March 1946
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Pneumococcal Infections
Polysaccharides
Antibodies
Genre(s):
Archival Materials
Articles
Abstract:
During World War II, Heidelberger became involved in an effort by military physicians to develop a pneumonia vaccine, consisting of a combination of purified polysaccharides of four specific pneumococcal types, for the immunization of troops. In this article, Heidelberger and one of his wartime collaborators, Colin MacLeod, along with two coauthors described improvements in their quantitative precipitin method for measuring the amount of type-specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies in human sera, measurements that revealed that an even smaller amount of the specific polysaccharide than used previously was sufficient for effective immunization. Additionally, the team provided data on various injection methods (subcutaneous vs. intracutaneous) and the duration of protection (antibody levels remained relatively constant for 5-8 months after injection).
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Extent:
18 pages
NLM Unique ID:
101584940X33 (See in Profiles in Science)
Profiles in Science ID:
DHBBCP
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584940X33
Archival Collection:
The Michael Heidelberger Papers (Profiles in Science)