MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST BABESIA-CABALLI AND BABESIA-EQUI AND THEIR APPLICATION IN SERODIAGNOSIS

The production of monoclonal antibodies to the bloodstages of the haem oprotozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Babesia equi and the characte rization of their corresponding antigens are described. Species specif ic and immunogenic proteins of both parasites were identified using SD S-PAGE, Western blotting and ELISA. These proteins were then electroel uted from SDS-PAGE gels and used to immunize BALB/c mice for hybridoma production. One monoclonal antibody (Mab), designated BC5.37.70.27 (B C5), recognized a 70 kDa protein of B. caballi as demonstrated by West ern blotting under reducing conditions. Another Mab, BE1.24/2.95 (BE1) , recognized a 34 kDa protein of B. equi. Both Mabs reacted specifical ly in indirect ELISA when isolated whole merozoites were used as antig en. Preliminary studies using the two Mabs in a competitive ELISA (cEL ISA) suggest that the cELISA for the detection of B. caballi infection is more sensitive than the commonly used complement fixation test but that refinement is necessary for the B. equi system.