Utilization of polyclonal antibodies produced in local horses (Equus caballus) as a resource for development of ELISA conjugate to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to utilize the antibody produced using Indonesia local horses (Equus caballus) to make the conjugate of ELISA kit for detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg). The polyclonal antibodies were isolated and purified from local horses immunized repeatedly using isolated and purified HBsAg from Indonesia. The antibodies were conjugated with horseradish peroxidase by a modified method of Nakane and Kawaoi. The conjugate activities were performed using the principle of ELISA test conducted by the researchers as well as by independent laboratory. Commercial conjugate for HBsAg ELISA was used as a comparison study. The results of this study indicated that the antibody produced from local horses can be used to make conjugates that were comparable to commercial HBsAg ELISA kit.