Factors Affecting Human Antibody Response

Abstract

Six men were fed a semi-synthetic formula adequate in all known nutrients except pyridoxine. Two men served as control subjects and received adequate amounts of pyridoxine. The remaining four men were deficient in pyridoxine. Two of them received, in addition, the anti-vitamin desoxypyridoxine. All six men were immunized with tetanus and typhoid antigens. The four deficient subjects became ill while the two control subjects remained well. The most notable features of this illness were gastrointestinal disturbances and cutaneous changes. The formation of antibodies against tetanus and typhoid was only slightly impaired in the deficient subjects.