Early protection by vaccines against Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonizing burns

Abstract

Burned mice were successfully protected by a single injection of Ps. aeruginosa P14 vaccine against the homologous strain of Pseudomonas when a suspension of the bacteria was inoculated over the burned area 2 or 3 days later. Unvaccinated mice challenged in this way died with septicaemia when their burns were kept moist by application of an inert cream and dressings; if the burns were exposed, the mice died when challenged after 2 hours or 24 hours, but often survived if the challenge was delayed for 48 or 72 hours.