SPECIFIC MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES TO FASCIOLA-GIGANTICA

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against soluble metabolic p roducts (excretory/secretory; ES) of the liver fluke, Fasciola giganti ca. The ES antigen was obtained from spent culture medium in which the adult flukes had been maintained in vitro. From two cell fusions, the mAbs produced were exclusively associated with either IgG or IgM isot ypes. When screened against a panel of homologous and heterologous par asite antigens by indirect ELISA, two mAbs were highly specific for F. gigantica, The remainder cross-reacted extensively with other parasit es, Results from immunoblotting and immunofluorescence exhibited two p atterns of reactivity. The first group of mAbs which recognized the mu ltiple bands between > 14.4 - 27.5 kDa gave extremely bright fluoresce nce over all major muscular systems, vitelline gland, testes and intes tinal caeca. The second group which reacted with the 185 kDa band show ed a bright fluorescence over a thinner muscular layer underlying the tegument, intestinal caeca and testes.