Production of monoclonal antibodies against Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 for development of in-house immunodiagnostic assay

• Published in: International Medical Journal
• Main Author: Yahaya N.; Kaspan S.; Pit S.; Abdullah N.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33645837684&partnerID=40&md5=fb8d4ba4e91c7a35275ac43926560c0b
• ISSN: 13412051

Introduction: It may be difficult to diagnose infection caused by Legionella pneumophila. Several studies indicate that detection of L.pneumophila urinary antigen is a promising tool for rapid diagnosis of the infection. Objective: The objectives of the study were to produce monoclonal antibodies against L.pneumophila serogroup 1 and to assess the potentiality of the monoclonal antibodies as diagnostic reagents to detect the bacterial antigens. Materials and Methods: Monoclonal antibodies against L.pneumophila serogroup 1 were produced by hybridoma technology using a mouse system following the technique described by Kohler and Milstein. The monoclonal antibodies were tested with antigens of L.pneumophila and other bacterial antigens by indirect ELISA using the method of Voller et al and subsequently by sandwich ELISA by the method of Zheng et al. Results: Four clones secreting monoclonal antibodies of IgM class designated as 1C7.2B, 2B2.10F, 2B2.11E and 1F4.10E had been produced against L.pneumophila serogroup 1. All the monoclonal antibodies reacted specifically with the homologous antigens of L.pneumophila serogroup 1 in the indirect ELISA as well as sandwich ELISA since no cross-reaction was detected with the other tested bacterial antigens. Conclusion: The in-house sandwich ELISA using monoclonal antibodies produced in the study detected specifically soluble antigen of L.pneumophila and hence have potential to be used as a tool to diagnose the infection caused by this pathogen. © 2006 Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation.