Pertussis potency testing

Potency tests for the polysaccharide vaccines and the acellular pertussis component of the DTaP Vaccine tolerated the irradiation doses. Molecular sizing experiments indicated some size change for the polysaccharides studied. Further studies are required to determine the specific doses at which sterility is achieved, as well as to determine that the therapeutic effect of the... 

The U.S. standard pertussis vacciae is used to standardize the potency of the whole ceU pertussis vacciae. The number of protective units Hi the vaccine is estimated for each lot from the results of simultaneous intracerebral mouse-protection tests of the vaccine being studied and the U.S. reference standard (14,17). The potency of the aceUular vaccines is estimated by then abUity to produce antibodies to the proteins Hi the vaccine Hi a mouse model. These vaccines also undergo a series of animal safety tests to ensure that the iaactivation and toxoiding steps were carried out correctiy (14,17). 

The single-component bacterial vaccines are listed in Table 15.1. For each vaccine, notes are provided of the basic material fkm which the vaccine is made, the salient production processes and tests for potency and for safety. The multicomponent vaccines that are made by blending together two or more of the single component vaccines are required to meet the potency and safety requirements for each of the single components that they contain. The best known of the combined bacterial vaccines is the adsorbed diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTPerWac/Ads) that is used to immunize infants, and the adsorbed diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (DTWac/Ads) that is used to reinforce the immunity of school entrants. 

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