A murine monoclonal antibody exhibiting high species specificity for Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum.
A monoclonal antibody (mAb) exhibiting a high degree of species specificity for the yeast phase of the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum was produced by a modification of the standard mAb production protocol. The technique for generating mAbs involved the use of the immunosuppressive drug cyclophosphamide to diminish the response in mice to immunodominant cross-reactive epitopes. This mAb exhibited clear specificity and did not react by ELISA with the closely related genera Blastomyces, Paracoccidioides and Sporothrix. In Western blots it recognized a linear determinant on a 70-75 kDa molecule in H. capsulatum antigen, with an extremely faint reactivity to antigens of identical molecular mass derived from Sporothrix and Paracoccidioides, and no reactivity against Blastomyces antigen.
Dermatology Unit, Clinical Sciences Laboratories, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
A J
AJ
Hamilton
M A
MA
Bartholomew
L E
LE
Fenelon
J
J
Figueroa
R J
RJ
Hay
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013045:Species Specificity
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D000939:Epitopes