L-The aim of our study was to investigate ifa cell culture assay can replac
e the toxin neutralisation test in mice for the potency testing of alpha to
roid containing clostridial vaccines for veterinary use.
The basis for the development of our cell culture assay was the detection o
f the cytotoxic/cytopathic action of alpha toxin on cells in culture. Nine
permanent cell lines were examined for their reaction to the alpha toxin. T
he action of the toxin was determined after three days by microscopic exami
nation and MTT assay. The alpha toxin exhibited the strongest effect on the
ESH-L cells. We were able to show that the cytopathic effect was neutralis
ed by the international standard for gas gangrene antitoxin (C.novyi) but n
ever by heterologous antisera. Our results showed that the ESH-L cell line
was a suitable indicator for the detection of the cytotoxic effect of alpha
toxin.