Carrier-bound immunogenic determinants and carrier therefor

Abstract

An immunogenicity increasing carrier substance for immunogenic determinants is composed of particles derived from gram-negative cells substantially devoid or depleted of their natural immunogenic determinants, more particularly prepared by stripping the O-antigen and core region off the lipid A by chemical cleavage (acid hydrolysis). These socalled 'naked bacteria' are chemically treated with a linking reagent to provide covalently bonded intermediate linking moieties while preserving the adjuvant effect of the particles. The linking moieties have functional groups. These serve for the covalent bonding of selected haptens or antigens comprising the desired immunogenic determinants against which antibodies are to be elicited in living antibody-producing cells. Such carrier-bound immunogenic substance can be prepared in injectable form for immunizing fowls or mammals to induce protective immunization, or to produce specific antisera or to produce antibody preparations for diagnostic, forensic, pharmacokinetic and other tests.