| Twenty-five monoclonal antibodies produced against myxospores and triactinomyxon spores of M. cerebralis, the causative agent of whirling disease of salmonids, were selected for their reactivity to myxospores. Twelve were found to be effective and accordingly they were characterized for their potential as diagnostic reagents. Comparative detection assays using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Immunofluorescent assay (IFA), and immuno dot-blot were conducted. Localization of antibody binding in IFA was affirmed by electron microscopy. Antibodies were also tested for specificity to M. cerebralis by an IFA with a neurotropic myxosporean. The antibodies were characterized as either binding to carbohydrate or protein epitopes. To compliment the diagnostic study, we localized chitin in spores using lectin binding. |
