Human antibody response to fragments A and B of diphtheria toxin and a synthetic peptide of amino acid residues 141-157 of fragment A.

Examination of a selection of serum samples from adults from two regions of England showed that 50% of men in the 16-24 years and over 55 years age groups had high titres of antibody to diphtheria toxin (DT). In contrast, only 11% of women aged 16 to over 55 years had high titres of antibody to DT. All human antisera with high anti-DT titres reacted with a synthetic peptide (SP) corresponding to the amino acids 141-157 of DT fragment A, with sera from men aged 35 to over 55 years showing the highest titres. High antibody titres to fragment A paralleled those to SP in both sexes. Titres of antibody to DT fragment B were highest in individuals with high titres to DT. In sera from both sexes immunoglobulin G1 was the predominant subclass reactive with all three antigens. However, both IgG1 and IgG4 and to a lesser extent IgG2 and IgG3 were present in immunoglobulin concentrates.