Characterization of the antibodies responsible for the 'bactericidal activity patterns' of antisera to Bordetella pertussis

Abstract

Antisera to fractions of Bordetella pertussis have been investigated to determine the nature of the antibodies responsible for bactericidal activity and the cause of prozoning observed with some (type 2) sera. Bactericidal activity in both type 1 and type 2 sera tends to be correlated with the titre of agglutinins, anti-haemagglutinin and intracerebral protective antibody; it is not constantly associated with any other function. It is almost certainly not a property of antitoxin, antibody to histamine sensitizing factor or intranasal protective antibody.

The inhibition zone of type 2 antisera appears to be due to an antibody present in the crude β-globulin fraction of antiserum. The antigen stimulating this antibody is probably a protein but is not the normal agglutinin, haemagglutinin or the histamine sensitizing factor.