Isolation of a protective, non-toxic capsular antigen from Pasteurella multocida, types B and E.

Separation of the capsular antigen and endotoxin from saline extracts of Pasteurella multocida type B was achieved by fractional precipitation from aqueous solution by addition of polar organic solvents. Biological tests for the presence of endotoxin showed that it was absent from capsular antigen preparations so obtained. Properties of the capsular antigen suggested that it was a high molecular weight acidic polysaccharide. The solvent fractionation method was found to be equally applicable to separation of capsular antigen and endotoxin of P multocida type E. The type B capsular antigen in the presence of aluminium hydroxide gel adjuvant, was poorly immunogenic in rabbits. In cattle, however, a dose-dependent serological response was obtained as demonstrated by the mouse passive protection test.