Production of Quellung Antisera in Chickens

Summary and conclusions1. Antisera satisfactory in the Quellung reaction were prepared for K. pneumoniae types A and B by injection of adult chickens with formalinized suspensions of the encapsulated bacilli. As few as 4 injections at weekly intervals were sufficient for this purpose.2. Effective antiserum was similarly prepared for H. influenzae type B. Capsular swelling was readily demonstrable with sera collected from chickens after 3 or 4 weekly injections of living organisms from young cultures, while sera from rabbits undergoing the same immunization schedule were distinctly inferior at this stage.3. Chickens are very useful for the production of Quellung antisera, with particular advantages where Gram-negative bacteria are concerned.The assistance of Mrs. Frances Fuller during the early part of the work is appreciated.