Vibriocidal activity, immune globulin producing cells and immune globulin levels in Theropithecus gelada after administration of a vibrio cholerae antigen.

Geladas were fed or injected with an antigen that contained Burrows' type 2 cholera toxin. Rising agglutinin and vibriocidal titres were observed in the serum, peripheral and mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and lymphatic tissue of the upper intestine. Oral administration stimulated a more intensive vibriocidal activity in the mesenteric lymphatic nodes and intestinal lymphatic tissue, and within a shorter time than parenteral injection of the same antigen. Immune globulin synthesis paralleled largely the number of immunologically active cells. The agglutinin titres reflected the level of immune globulins and the numbers of globulin producing cells, whereas vibriocidal titres appeared independent of both. In terms of antibody site serum IgG was weight for weight more vibriocidal than serum IgM.