§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what part has been played by the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton, in finding treatment and prevention for brucellosis.
§ Mr. MasonFor a number of years Microbiological Research Establishment has been studying the basis of immunisation against Brucellosis and of the disease syndrome. The fraction of the organism which stimulates immunity has been purified and characterised, and a safe live vaccine for man is being developed, the existing live vaccine as used in cattle (S19) being harmful to humans. This work has been valuable to those dealing with brucellosis eradication in cattle. A substance known as erythritol was isolated from cow placentas, where its concentration explains the localisation of infection in this organ. It was also established which blood cells were responsible for producing immunity in the cow.
Some observations have also been made on the value of Ampicillin in human cases of brucellosis.
All this work has been published in many papers in the scientific journals and reprints communicated all over the world.