[Evaluation of the toxicity of meningococcal antigens by the development of paw edema in white mice].

The comparative evaluation of group A meningococcal antigens of different chemical nature (protein, polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide and complex fraction) was made by the method of paw edema. The preparations were introduced in a dose of 100 micrograms/0.05 ml. The dynamics of the development of edema was observed. The chemical nature of the injected antigen was found to be related to changes in the character of edema in time: edema reached its maximum 3 hours after the injection of protein and 48 hour after the injection of lipopolysaccharide. The animals showed practically no reaction to polysaccharide.