PRODUCTION AND WESTERN BLOT CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES SPECIFIC FOR CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI AND CAMPYLOBACTER COLI

Abstract

Reference strains of the Lior serogroups of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli most frequently encountered in human infections were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and western blotting. Seven components appeared to be common to all strains. Purified components were obtained from one strain by electrophoretic separation and elution from preparative SDS‐PAGE gels. The purified components were used to immunize BALB/c mice for monoclonal antibody production and to screen hybridoma tissue culture supernatants for specific antibody by enzyme immunoassay. Antibodies from selected hybridomas were characterized on western blots of C. jejuni, C. coli, C. fetus, Salmonella typhimurium, Proteus vulgaris, Citrobacter diversus and Escherichia coli whole cell lysates. At least nine of the monoclonal antibodies appeared to be specific for C. jejuni and C. coli and thus may be useful in tests for the rapid detection of these organisms in foods and other specimens.