The detection of Bacillus anthracis protective antigens by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies

An Enzyme-Immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of Bacillus anthracis-protective antigen (PA) within one hour was developed. If the rabbit antiserum was used, 15 ng PA/ml could be detected and with the monoclonal antibody, the detection limit was 60 ng PA/ml. With respect to the higher specificity and with regard to the aspects of animalcare, monoclonal antibodies should be used in the test instead of the polyclonal antiserum.