Effect of vaccine, route, and schedule on antibody response of rabbits to Pasteurella tularensis.

The response of the rabbit to viable or killed whole-cell Pasteurella tularensis vaccines was studied. The most practical preparation for the production of anti-P. tularensis antibodies was viable organisms of the live vaccine strain (LVS). The intravenous route of administration proved superior to either the subcutaneous or intradermal routes, and incorporation of LVS into Freund's adjuvants did not result in increased levels of antibody. Short-term hyperimmunization, three injections at weekly intervals, constituted the most efficient method for increasing levels of the antibodies.