Use of Specific Monoclonal Antibodies for Diagnosis of Citrus Tristeza Virus

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for citrus tristeza virus (CTV) were obtained by fusion of a nonsecreting myeloma cell line with spleen cells from immunized BALB/c mice. Immunoglobulin titre and isotype were determined in cell culture supernatants and mouse ascitic fluid. Each MAb was enzyme-conjugated and used in a double-antibody sandwich ELISA assay for CTV. All reacted uniformly against a panel of 23 strains of CTV representative of strains collected from Europe, Asia, and North America.