Fractionation of human strain Aoyama-B tuberculin by the use of Zone electrophoresis

Abstract

Two protein fractions II and III, obtained from human strain Aoyama-B tuberculin were tested on their sensitizing-activities comparing with DT and PPD-s.Four groups of guinea pigs were sensitized respectively by intramuscular injectionof fractions II, III, DT, or PPD-s mixed with Bayol F and Arlacel A. Thereafter animals were tested periodically on their skin reactivities with the intradermal injection of the same dose of fractions II, and III, DT, and PPD-s.Results were as follows:1) Animals were well sensitized in all groups and developed the maximal reactivity at 6th week after sensitization. The sensitizing-activity to induce the skin reaction to 5 mcg PPD-s in g-uinea pigs fell into the following sequence; DT, PPD-s, fraction II and fraction III.2) The animals sensitized with fraction II alone developed strong skin reaction to homologous antigen, fraction II.3) In the animals sensitized with DT or fraction II, the maximal reaction was observed at 24hrs. after intradermal injection of homologous antigen, respectively, but it was 8hrs. after injection with other antigens.