Effects of elastase, protease and common antigen (OEP) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on protection against burns in mice.

For the purpose of studying the role of elastase and protease of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bacterial infection in burns, the effects of the vaccines made from each enzyme, their toxoids and OEP on protection against infection in burned mice were studied. Elastase, protease, toxoids of the enzymes, two- or three-component-mixed vaccines and OEP demonstrated significant protection. Toxoids of elastase and protease produced effects similar to those of the enzymes themselves but no synergistic effect in mixed vaccine was detected. Elastase was significantly more effective than protease, the three-component-mixed vaccine or OEP in protecting mice against P. aeruginosa infection in burns.