MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES TO COXIELLA-BURNETII FOR ANTIGENIC DETECTION INCELL-CULTURES AND IN PARAFFIN-EMBEDDED TISSUES

The authors developed monoclonal antibodies to Coxiella burnetti, the agent of Q fever. The selected monoclonal antibody, Cox1D8, did not cr oss-react with other bacteria and was used for early detection of C bu rnetti in shell vial cell cultures and for staining C burnetii in para ffin embedded tissues. Formalin or Bouin fixation did not alter the re activity of the antigen with the antibody. This monoclonal antibody co uld be useful in the pathologic diagnosis of Q fever hepatitis and end ocarditis.