An alternative to the toxin neutralization assay in mice for the potency testing of the Clostridium tetani, Clostridium septicum, Clostridium novyi type B and Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon components of multivalent sheep vaccines

Abstract

Potency testing of veterinary vaccines containing clostridial antigens currently requires the vaccination of laboratory rabbits followed by the determination of specific antitoxin concentration in the rabbit sera by toxin neutralization test in mice. ELISAs are described as an alternative method to toxin neutralization for the determination of Clostridium tetani, Clostridium septicum, Clostridium novyi Type B and Clostridium perfringens Type D epsilon antitoxins. The assays were found to be rapid, specific and economical and showed good correlation with the toxin neutralization test.