The Journal of veterinary medical science
-
Clostridium novyi (C. novyi) Type B alpha-toxin was purified from culture supernatant by column chromatography, and was inactivated by formalin. A purified alpha-toxoid vaccine was prepared by mixing it with an aluminum phosphate gel adjuvant. Guinea pigs immunized twice with 4 micrograms or more of alpha-toxin survived against challenge with C. novyi Type B spores. ⋯ In this experiment, 10 U of antitoxin titer was the border of survival or death after challenge. Guinea pigs with antitoxin titers of less than 5 U, 5 U and 10 U died at 2, 3 to 4 and 4 days, respectively, after challenge. These results suggest that C. novyi alpha-toxin was the main protective antigen against challenge exposure to spores in guinea pigs.