Cultivation of Mycobacterium bovis BCG in bioreactors.

The Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine for commercial use is classically produced as surface pellicles by culture on synthetic medium. Under these conditions, reproducibility of the cultures and quality assessment are hampered by slow growth of the bacilli, the formation of bacterial aggregates and a high proportion of dead bacilli after processing and final formulation of the vaccine. Here, we established dispersed cultures of M.

Pertussis antigens--screening models on toxicity.

From the same batch of B. pertussis bacteria two types of DPT-vaccines were produced after harvest of the inactivated organisms by centrifugation or acid precipitation. The first vaccine contained whole pertussis bacteria and the second an extracted antigen complex.

Serotype determinant protein of Neisseria Meningitidis. Large scale preparation by direct detergent treatment of the bacterial cells.

Neisseria meningitidis Group B microorganisms, inactivated with phenol and harvested by centrifugation, were subjected to direct treatment with various detergents to solubilize the serotype determinant proteins localized in the outer membrane. Analysis of the data showed that extraction of the cells with detergents provided yields of the serotype protein substantially exceeding those obtained by simple salt extraction of the bacteria. Routinely, more than 2 mg of end product per g of cell mass (wet weight) may be recovered by the present method.

Extracted protective antigen of Bordetella pertussis. I. Preparation and properties of the solubilized surface of components.

Bordetella pertussis microorganisms were treated with several extracting agents followed by ultracentrifugation to remove particulate matter. Analysis of the resulting supernatants by SDS gel electrophoresis showed one major component after simple salt extraction, and much more complex, although consistent pattern following detergent treatment. The yield of the solubilized protein in detergent extracts exceeded by far the values recorded for salt extracts.