In vitro antigen ELISA for quality control of tetanus vaccines.

Consistency of production is recognised as an important aspect of vaccine manufacture and suitably validated in vitro assays are required for quality control testing of these products. For the manufacture and batch release of tetanus vaccines, antigen content and integrity, and degree of adsorption of antigen to the adjuvant are critical parameters that should be monitored for consistency. Here we describe the development and use of an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to quantify tetanus antigen in combined vaccine products and to measure the degree of adsorption of antigen to adjuvant. Whilst the antigen assay cannot be assumed to predict potency for different products, it can be used as part of a panel of in vitro methods to provide a more informative product profile and to monitor trends in production. The antigen assay is particularly valuable for providing quantitative information on every final lot when modifications of in vivo potency tests, such as single dilution assays, are used.