Studies on the purification of antibodies. V: Nature of the pyrogenic factor in pneumococcus antibody solution

Abstract

In connection with the preceding studies on purification of pneumococcus protective antibodies, it is of practical importance to know what is the reason for the occurrence of febrile reactions following the intravenous injections of the solution. The various batches of material that we prepared were tested for pyrogenic property by injecting 5 cc. amounts intravenously into rabbits and observing their temperatures for three hours.

The results which are presented on the accompanying chart indicate that the temperature rise is proportional to the amount of nitrogen present in these extracts. It will be noted that there are four results which fall outside the regular line. These show a large amount of nitrogen, but very small temperature rise. Since the nitrogen determinations were done by the regular Kjeldahl method, it is impossible to say in what form this nitrogen was. On the other hand, it will be noted that in no case in which there was a small amount of nitrogen was there a temperature rise of over 1° F. These data, therefore, while rather meagre, point to the nitrogenous nature of the pyrogenic factor. Since preceding studies by Huntoon and others indicate that the nitrogen present in these extracts comes from the bacteria and not from the antibody-bearing-serum, it seems fair to conclude that the pyrogenic factor is not inherent in the antibodies, but is derived at least in part from the sensitized bacteria.

If the nitrogenous material derived from the antigen is the pyrogenic factor in antibody solutions, then removal of extraneous nitrogenous material by methods, such as outlined in our previous communication, may be of value in practical preparation of antibody solutions for therapeutic use.

The material and animals used in this study were generously furnished by the H. K. Mulford Co., Glenolden, Pa., through the courtesy of Dr. F. M. Huntoon.