GB925124A - Staphylococcal vaccine - Google Patents

Abstract

A staphylococcal vaccine is produced by extracting the intact cells of Staphylococcus aureus strains NRRL B-2467, NRRL B-2468, NRRL B-2469, NRRL B-2471, NRRL B-2472, NRRL B-2473, NRRL B-2474, NRRL B-2475, NRRL B-2476 or NRRL B-2477 with phenol and an aqueous solvent to obtain immiscible phenolic and aqueous solutions, e.g. water or an aqueous physiological salt solution, and separating the phenol and insoluble solid material from the aqueous solution to obtain an aqueous solution capable of stimulating the production of a protective antibody against Staphylococcus aureus. The cells of S. aureus may be alive, killed or partially killed. The extraction steps may be carried out separately or simultaneously. In the case of simultaneous extraction, sufficient phenol is used to produce a phenolic phase but insufficient to dissolve all the aqueous solvent phase. For separate extractions, the phenol must contain sufficient water to render the phenol liquid but insufficient to cause separation of a separate aqueous phase i.e. 5 to 30 and preferably 15% water. The final aqueous product should contain not more than 0.2% phenol. Excess phenol is removed by (a) dialysis or (b) extraction with a volatile water-immiscible organic solvent for the phenol e.g. ether or chloroform. The pH of the vaccine may be adjusted to 6 to 8 and preferably pH 7.2. If necessary, it should be made isotonic with sodium chloride. It is sterilized for parenteral injection.