Bordetella pertussis for use with alum-precipitated proteins

Bordetella pertussis for use with alum-precipitated proteins B. pertussis is heat-inactivated and mixed with alum- 

Two fundamental rules should be followed (i) a blood sample should 

The shorter the immunization, the more specific the antibodies tend to be, but the antisera are also less potent. The skin should always be sterilized with alcohol before injections. 

The choice of animal is mostly one of convenience rather than necessity. A notable exception is the production of anti-insulin antibodies for which guinea pigs should be used. Generally, rabbits, goats and sheep are used for polyclonal antisera and mice and rats for monoclonal antisera. As a rule of thumb, about 15 pg of immunogen or 5 X 10 cells per kg of body weight suffices. 

Intravenous (i.v.) inoculation is used preferentially for soluble or particulate immunogens. For alum-precipitated immunogens it is used in combination with a subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. Though the response is rapid, it is not sustained. Usually a small amount is given on 3 succeeding days, a double dose 4 days later and a threefold dose after another 4 days. 

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