Antibodies to meningococcus polysaccharides in nonspecific gamma-globulins from different regions of the world.

Seventy-one batches of nonspecific gamma-globulin obtained from France, USSR and Mongolia were studied for presence of specific antibody to group A and C meningococcus polysaccharide. Specific activity was tested by two methods: radioimmunoassay (Lyon) and reaction of passive haemagglutination inhibition (Moscow). Antibodies were detected in all the gamma-globulin batches tested, in some of them at high titres. The summary results indicated that approximately equal levels of specific A antibodies were present in preparations obtained from the different regions of the world. Antibodies to group C polysaccharide showed considerable variation in level from selection country to country; the highest level of C antibodies was in gamma-globulin from France. The authors feel entitled by the results to recommend testing of nonspecific gamma-globulin, selection of batches with a high level of specific antimeningococcus antibodies, and their judicious use.