Effect of Meningococcal Endotoxin on the Immune Response.

Abstract

Summary1. The enhancement of antibody production against crystalline bovine serum albumin by the simultaneous injection of meningococcal endotoxin is reported. 2. An optimum dosage of endotoxin for production of the adjuvant effect is approximately the same as that required to prepare rabbits for the generalized Shwartzman reaction or to provoke the local Shwartzman phenomenon. 3. Failure of inhibition of antibody production by dosages of endotoxin capable of producing delayed uptake of radio active colloidal gold by the reticuloendothelial system is mentioned. 4. Possible mechanisms responsible for the adjuvant phenomenon are discussed.