Abstract

This study aims to apply a new procedure in preparation of anthraxin from cell wall extracts of a virulent Bacillus anthracis strain 34F2 (Sterne) .Anthraxin was evaluated for potential use as skin testing agent to measure cell-mediated immunity. Guinea pigs were immunized and boosted subcutaneously with Sterne live veterinary anthrax vaccine. Two weeks after the booster dose, animals were skin tested with the antigen which recorded 15.6mm as a mean of erythema and 2.5 mm difference of thickness as compared to the control. Histological changes corresponded with the delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) in which the changes involved infiltration of inflammatory cells particularly macrophages, neutrophiles and eosinophils in the skin dermis and in perivascular region in addition to accumulation of fluid (edema) in the dermis and congestion of blood vessels.

The article was added to IASJ on 2012-04-23

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