Tularemia Vaccine Study

Abstract

Previous studies from these laboratories demonstrated that man can readily be infected by intracutaneous inoculation with approximately 10 Pasteurella tularensis organisms (SCHU S4 strain).¹Prior vaccination with killed Foshay vaccine did not prevent local lesions, but did reduce the incidence of systemic manifestations of infection. Review of accidental laboratory infection indicates that the respiratory route may serve as a portal of entry.²Experimental respiratory infections can easily be induced in both vaccinated and nonvaccinated monkeys, and response to therapy is good.³This present report describes the response to respiratory challenge with P. tularensis of nonvaccinated volunteers and of volunteers who received either killed vaccine or a viable attenuated vaccine. Materials and Methods Volunteers were inmates of the Ohio State Penitentiary, 21 to 35 years of age. Criteria for selection and conditions of volunteering have been described.¹ Vaccination with Foshay killed tularemia vaccine was conducted as previously