The effect of nitrogen mustard on anaphylaxis in the pertussis-vaccinated mouse

Abstract The addition of 60 or 70 γ of nitrogen mustard (HN2) to a mixture of antigen and as little as 6 × 10 4 pertussis organisms enhanced the anaphylactic sensitization of mice. The optimum dose of vaccine without HN2 is 6 × 10 9 cells. When 50γ of HN2 was injected on the day before the antigen-pertussis mixture, there was no alteration of anaphylactic death rates. However, if given after the immunizing mixture, HN2 coused a decrease in the death rate of about 50 per cent. The administration of HN2 either before or after antigen alone did not produce a sensitization. A dose of 20 to 50γ of HN2 in combination with antigen and 6 × 10 8 or 10 9 Bordetella pertussis cells caused the elaboration of antibody-containing ascitic fluid; given one day prior to the pertussis, HN2 produced an increased accumulation. The inoculation of 6 × 10 9 pertussis organisms had no effect on toxicity when given before or after the HN2. A decrease in toxicity was noted when 50 to 70γ of HN2 was given together with 6 × 10 4 to 10 8 B. pertussis organisms.