Protein antigens immunogen preparation

The presence of protein in ampicillin has been shown to have a significant effect upon the immunogenicity of the antibiotic (Knudsen et al. 1970). Removal of protein markedly reduced the immunogenicity as well as the antigenicity. Immunogenicity was, however, not completely abolished and low levels of antibody were detected in the rabbits used in the immunization experiments. A similar reduction in immunogenicity and antigenicity of ampicillin preparations (and 6-APA preparations) by reduction of protein levels was shown by Shaltiel et al. (1970, 1971). 

Vaccination of lambs with a contortin-enriched preparation gave a mean reduction in worm burdens of 78% (Table 13.1) (Munn et al., 1987). This result was particularly significant because it showed that proteins expressed on the surface of the gut, albeit from a blood-feeding nematode, could induce high levels of protective immunity when used as an immunogen. These proteins are not normally accessible to the host immune system during the course of infection they are termed hidden or concealed antigens and the immunity conferred by them is described as artificial immunity. 

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