Development of an ELISA-inhibition assay utilizing a monoclonal antibody to identify serogroup one of Legionella pneumophila

An ELISA-inhibition test to identify L, pneumophila Serogroup, 1 was developed utilizing a monoclonal antibody produced by fusing mouse myeloma cells with the spleen cells of a mouse immunized with the Knoxville strain of L. pneumophila. serogroup 1 (ATCC number 33153) in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. The resulting IgM monoclonal antibody is specific for a somatic antigen on serogroup 1 of L. pneumophila and when incorporated into the ELISA-inhibition, correctly identified 18 strains of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 when tested against 35 strains of Legionella including six serogroups of IL. pneumophi1 a. six species of legionella and eight species of gram negative Bacilli. When performed according to protocol the test proved accurate, and could be an alternative to direct fluorescent antibody in the definitive identification of serogroup 1 of L. pneumophila.