Mechanisms of Protective Immunogenicilty of Microbial Vaccines of Military Medical Significance

摘要

Initial clinical studies of Phase I Q fever vaccine (IND 610) and skin test were performed under this contract. A total of 242 volunteers received skin tests and 22 received vaccine at two dose levels. Skin test reactions were classified according to the duration of persistence of erythema and skin test results were correlated with serologic and in vitro lymphocyte stimulation results. A role for lymphocyte testing in predicting skin test reactions was defined. In response to vaccine, local reactions were minimal and without abscess or granuloma formation. Immunologic results show consistent antibody responses and variable lymphocyte transformation responses to Q fever antigens. Dermal granulomatous skin reactions seen to Q fever vaccine antigens in immune guinea pigs have been analyzed for their immunologic basis. New information has been obtained on the interrelations between antigens of C. burnetii and their relative contributions to granuloma formation. A purified fraction of C. burnetii obtained by extraction with chloroform and methanol (CMR) has been characterized as a skin and lymphocyte antigen in man and guinea pigs. CMR is devoid of granuloma reactivity but carries the determinant for delayed hypersensitivity and lymphocyte stimulation. A solid phase (FIAX) immunofluorescent assay procedures was developed for serodiagnosis of Q fever and used in the evaluation of volunteers responses to Q fever vaccine and skin test as well as in an intensive national surveillance program.