Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Citrus Tristeza Virus and Their Use for Diagnosis

Abstract
Summary Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for citrus tristeza virus (CTV) were obtained from hybrid cells produced by fusion of a non-secreting myeloma cell line with spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with isolate T-308 of CTV. Three MAb were characterized for their immunoglobulin isotype and their titres in cell culture and ascites fluids. Each MAb was conjugated with alkaline phosphatase and used in a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for CTV. When tested against 23 strains of CTV, each MAb recognized all the strains with uniform reactions and low background.