Production and partial characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Mycobacterium leprae

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Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies to M. leprae were produced by the fusion of BALB/c (mouse) splenocytes and lymph node cells to BALB/c myeloma (NSI/1) cells. Eleven monoclonal antibodies were characterized as to their reactivity with M. leprae and 18 other mycobacterial species by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and immunofluorescence. Two monoclonal antibodies reacted only with M. leprae; the other 9 showed unique patterns of reactivity by ELISA. One monoclonal antibody (IIH9) reacted with a 68,000-dalton protein present in extracts from M. leprae, M. tuberculosis H37Rv, M. gastri and M. smegmatis. Potential uses for these antibodies in serological tests and immunochemical analyses are discussed.