Monoclonal antibodies to 52-kilodalton protein of Salmonella typhi

Abstract

Ten monoclonal antibodies (6 immunoglobulin G1κ [IgG1κ] and 4 IgG2bκ] from six hybrid clones specific for Salmonella typhi antigen were produced by immunizing BALB/cJ mice with affinity-purified S. typhi proteins (Bp). The latter were prepared by passing crude S. typhi Bp through an affinity column made from Sepharose conjugated to IgG antibodies against partially purified S. typhi Bp. The eluent was subsequently used as the immunogen for the production of monoclonal antibody. All 10 monoclonal antibodies reacted specifically with a 52-kilodalton (kDa) protein of S. typhi and were species specific. The presence of IgM antibody to the 52-kDa antigen in the sera of a majority of patients with acute typhoid fever suggested that this 52-kDa protein is also a good immunogen for humans. The potential usefulness of this antigen in the early diagnosis of typhoid fever is discussed.