Using Modified Anthraxin And Its Evaluation For Testing Cell Mediated Immunity And Studying Histopathological Changes In Lab Animals

Abstract

This study aims to apply a new procedure in preparation of anthraxin from
cell wall extracts of a virulent Bacillus anthracis strain 34F2 (Sterne)
.Anthraxin was evaluated for potential use as skin testing agent to measure
cell-mediated immunity. Guinea pigs were immunized and boosted
subcutaneously with Sterne live veterinary anthrax vaccine. Two weeks after
the booster dose, animals were skin tested with the antigen which recorded
15.6mm as a mean of erythema and 2.5 mm difference of thickness as
compared to the control. Histological changes corresponded with the delayed
type of hypersensitivity (DTH) in which the changes involved
infiltration of inflammatory cells particularly macrophages, neutrophiles and
eosinophils in the skin dermis and in perivascular region in addition to
accumulation of fluid (edema) in the dermis and congestion of blood vessels.