THE RELATION BETWEEN TOXICITY AND TOXIN-RELATED-ANTIGEN CONTENTS OF CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TYPES C AND D CULTURES AS DETERMINED BY MOUSE BIOASSAY AND ELISA

Abstract

ELISA was tested for the adequacy to differentiate between botulinum type C1 and D toxins. The results presented in this paper indicate antigenic relationship between type C1 and D toxins. Furthermore, indications were obtained that the antigenicities of type C1 and of D toxins produced by different strains are not identical. Although ELISA can be used to differentiate type C1 and D toxins from those of other types, the assay has only limited value to differentiate between type C1 and D toxins. No parallel relationship between toxicity (mouse bioassay) and toxin-related-antigen contents (ELISA) of C. botulinum type C and D cultures was found.