An alternative to cylinder drums for entering supplies and maintaining germ-free rodent isolators.

The cost of supply cylinders can be expensive for smaller gnotobiotic facilities on strict budgets. Here, we present an alternative approach to enter supplies into germ-free isolators that does not require large cylinder drums (supply cylinders). We describe procedures for autoclaving double-bagged packs of supplies, sealing the packs aseptically into zip lock bags in biosafety cabinet, and entering supply packages into isolators. Our gnotobiotic facility has been using this protocol since 2018 and has been effective in maintaining germ-free status.

A novel hepatitis B vaccine containing Advax™, a polysaccharide adjuvant derived from delta inulin, induces robust humoral and cellular immunity with minimal reactogenicity in preclinical testing.

Although current HBV vaccines have an outstanding record of safety and efficacy, reduced immunogenicity is a problem in those of older age, or having renal impairment or diabetes mellitus. In this study, we tested the ability of Advax™ adjuvant, a novel polysaccharide adjuvant based on delta inulin, to enhance the immunogenicity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs) in mice and guinea pigs by comparison to the traditional alum adjuvant. Advax™ provided antigen-sparing, significantly enhanced both anti-HBs antibody titers, and anti-HBs CD4 and CD8 T-cells, with increases in Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokine responses. Unlike alum, the adjuvant effect of Advax™ was seen even when injected 24h before the HBs antigen. Advax™ adjuvant similarly enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses in guinea pigs to a third generation preS-HBs antigen. Advax™ adjuvant when combined with HBs antigen could provide enhanced protection over current generation HBV vaccines for immunization of low responder populations.