Antibody-Response In Parotid Fluid And Serum Of Irus Monkeys (Macaca-Fascicularis) After Local Immunization With Streptococcus-Mutans

staining usingspecific antiglobulin conjugates. Anti- glucosyltransferase activity was assayed byan enzyme inhibition test. Animals were immunizedfirst by injecting formalin-killed bacterial cells andcell products subcutaneously into thevicinity ofthefourmajorsalivary glands. The monkeys were nextimmunized byretrograde instillation ofantigen intothe parotid duct. Extensive subcutaneous local immunization gave a serum response only. Afterparotid ductimmunization, hightiters ofimmunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody, along withtraces ofimmunoglobulin G (IgG) andimmunoglobulin M (IgM)antibody, appeared intheparotid saliva, andintheserum hightiters of IgGantibody were present along withlower titers ofIgAandIgM.IgAantibodies inparotid fluid were shownbydoubleimmunofluorescent staining tobe associated withantigenic determinants whichcross-reacted withan antiserum directed tohumansecretory component. Titers inparotid fluids andserafell sharply whenimmunization was stopped. Thisresponsepattern was reproduci- ble.Highconcentrations ofantibody capable ofinhibiting glucosyltransferase prepared fromS.mutanswerefoundinthesera,butrelatively little was detected intheparotid fluids. Extensive immunization viatheparotid ductresulted in transient functional impairment ofthegland, as evidenced bydiminished salivary flowrates. We conclude thatparotid ductal immunization can bean effective methodforstimulating a salivary secretory IgAantibacterial antibody response.