USE OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES TO DISTINGUISH PATHOGENIC NAEGLERIA-FOWLERI (CYSTS, TROPHOZOITES, OR FLAGELLATE FORMS) FROM OTHER NAEGLERIA SPECIES

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reactive to the pathogenic amoeba Naegler ia fowleri were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting (immunoblotting), and radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA). Two MAbs (3A4 and 5D12) sh owed reactivity by ELISA with all N. fowleri strains tested and no rea ctivity with the five other Naegleria species, N. lovaniensis, N. grub eri, N. australiensis, N. jadini, and N. andersoni. These MAbs reacted with the three morphological forms of N. fowkri (trophozoites, cysts, and flagellates). The reactivity on Western blots was suppressed by t reatment with metaperiodate, suggesting a carbohydrate epitope. Differ ences in reactivity patterns between trophozoites and cysts observed w ith radioimmunoprecipitation assay might reflect differences in biolog ical properties. The formalin stability of the epitope may be useful i n detecting N. fowkri in fixed biopsies and in investigating the patho logical process.