Experimental studies of the pathogenesis of infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa: immunization using divalent flagella preparations.

Flagella preparations of the two antigenic types that make up all the flagella antigens in Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used, individually, to immunize mice. Mice thus immunized were protected when burned and infected with P. aeruginosa. Protection was specific for the flagella antigen of the challenge strain but independent of its somatic antigen. When both antigens were used, together, for immunization, protection was independent of both the flagella and somatic antigen of the challenge strain. These results suggest that a divalent P. aeruginosa 'vaccine' would be of considerable value for immunoprophylaxis in burn patients.