The Adjuvant Effect Of A Tubercle Bacillary Lipid On The Antibody Response Of Rabbits To Sheep Red Cells

Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Received November 16, 1970 Accepted March 17, 1971 Rabbits were given an intravenous injection of sheep red cells. Some received red cells only, others were given, at the same time or at 24 hr or at 4 or 6 days after the red cells, an intravenous injection of a saline emulsion of a tubercle bacillary lipid. The haemolysin and haemagglutinin titres against sheep red cells were determined for serum samples taken before and at 2-day intervals after injection of red cells. Animals given lipid at the same time as red cells showed an antibody response significantly greater in rate and magnitude than that in animals given red cells only. Lipid given 24 hr or more after injection of red cells had no effect on the antibody response.