The mouse vibriocidal antibody test: A method for monitoring the potency of cholera vaccines

The mouse vibriocidal antibody test has been developed in order to compare the activities of cholera vaccines by the use of antibody levels induced in mice by vaccination. Antibody titres were measured by a new vibriocidal test in which tetrazolium salt was used to produce a colour change in growing bacteria and simplify the determination of the endpoint. The whole test was performed in microtitre plates. The mouse vibriocidal antibody test gave reproducible estimates of potency and was serotype specific. Potentcies estimated by the test were in agreement with those provided by the active mouse protection test, although both tests gave estimates with wide confidence intervals. The mouse vibriocidal antibody test was considered to be potentially useful in determining potencies of cholera vaccines and, in particular, as a screening test for vaccines with little or no activity.