Determination of polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) in Haemophilus influenzae vaccine using ion chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection

Many pathogenic bacteria possess a polysaccharide capsule that encloses the cell, modulates the flow of nutrients to the cell surface, and protects against dehydration. When a bacterium establishes an infection in a mammalian host, the polysaccharide capsule hides cell surface components from elements of the mammalian immune system, such as antibodies and complement proteins that otherwise would activate mechanisms to kill the pathogen.