title: Monoclonal antibodies with a high degree of specificity for Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b.
abstract: Strains of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b account for a large fraction of sporadic listeriosis cases, as well as all major food-borne epidemics attributed to this pathogen. We have identified a set of three monoclonal antibodies which showed a high degree of specificity for strains of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b. Two of these antibodies (c74.33 and c74.180, isotypes immunoglobulin M [IgM] and IgG3, respectively) recognized all serotype 4b strains, whereas antibody c74.22 (isotype IgG1) failed to recognize certain epidemic-associated strains. The corresponding antigens were located on the surface of the bacteria and were expressed following bacterial growth in different media and over a wide range of temperatures (4, 22, and 37 degrees C). Heating L. monocytogenes cells at 80,90, or 100 degrees C abolished reactivity for c74.22 but not for c74.33 MAb. These MAbs were negative for all of the non-Listeria strains tested, including representatives of several gram-negative and gram-positive species. The surface antigen recognized by c74.22 appeared to be associated with the ability of the bacteria to enter (invade) mammalian cells in culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kathariou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mizumoto
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Fok
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Benedict
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial