Preparation and use of monoclonal antibodies in the detection of Trichinella spiralis circulating antigen.

In the present study, a trial was made to evaluate the monoclonal antibody produced as a tool in the detection of circulating antigen. For the preparation of monoclonal antibodies, four Balb/C mice were immunized with Trichinella spiralis larvae. Immunized spleen cells were prepared and a suitable mutant NS1 myeloma cell line was used for fusion. Eighty white swiss albino mice were orally infected with 500 L1 T. spiralis larvae. Their serum was collected at different periods i.e. 5, 11, 18 and 28 days post infection for the detection of circulating antigen which was done by the ELISA technique. Circulating antigen could not be detected on day 5 post infection, while on day 11 it was clearly identified; on day 18 it could be detected but at a lesser O.D. reading however the antigen disappeared completely on the 28th day. This study confirmed that monoclonal antibodies may be a valuable tool in the early diagnosis of trichinosis by the detection of specific antigens, even in small amounts whenever present in the circulation.