Opsono-Adherence Assay to Evaluate Functional Antibodies in Vaccine Development Against Bacillus anthracis and Other Encapsulated Pathogens

The Opsono-Adherence Assay analyzes the presence of functional oposonic antibodies produced in animals after vaccination, which have been shown to correlate with the efficacy of several licensed human vaccines. This assay is preferred for use with biological select agents and other infectious pathogens and can be performed in a BSL-1 or BSL-2 lab after the inactivated BSL-3 agent is transferred. Antibodies against bacterial capsules, including the Bacillus anthracis capsule, have been demonstrated to be efficacious in animal models of infection.

Opsono-Adherence assays functionally evaluate antibodies without infecting animals. Follow all institutional safety and security procedures when working with encapsulated virulent strains of Bacillus anthracis. For this video, we're using an inactivated strain under biosafety level two conditions.