Fig. 2.

Neutralization potencies, plotted as median effective dose (ED₅₀). Serum samples were obtained from individual horses immunized with the consensus short-chain α-neurotoxin (ScNtx) at days 98, 147, and 205. ED₅₀ values are expressed in µL/mouse (volume of anti-ScNtx able to neutralize 3 × LD₅₀ (lethal dose, 50%) of purified short-chain neurotoxins ScNtx, MlatA1 or rD.H.). Values were estimated in groups of five mice, injected by the intravenous route. Error bars represent the 95% confidence limits for the ED₅₀ value. The data obtained from the groups of “Horse” and “Day” of immunization were analyzed statistically by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by paired Student’s t test. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant, as indicated by *. Horse 2 produces antibodies with the best neutralization potencies from after the 147th day of immunization