Specificity and detection limit of a dermal temperature histamine sensitization test for absence of residual pertussis toxin in vaccines.

Currently, an assay based on fatal sensitization of mice to histamine challenge is widely used for testing absence of residual pertussis toxin in acellular pertussis containing vaccines. For replacement of this lethal end-point assay, an alternative method based on body temperature measurement in mice has been presented, and in this study the specificity and detection limit of a dermal temperature-based assay were assessed. Test preparations containing pertussis toxin were prepared in aluminum-adjuvanted pertussis toxoid vaccine and injected intraperitoneally in histamine sensitive mice.

A mouse model for ricin poisoning and for evaluating protective effects of antiricin antibodies.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND. Ricin is a potential bioterrorism agent and no specific antidote or treatment exists for ricin poisoning. For this reason, we developed ricin-specific antibodies that were tested in a murine model of ricin poisoning for use as antidotes against symptoms of ricin poisoning.