Reactivity of monoclonal antibodies to potato virus A in various types of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Summary A panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was prepared against potato virus A (PVA) and their reactivity was tested in various types of ELISA. The type of ELISA as well as the methods of MAbs purification played an essential role. All monoclonal antibodies reacted with PVA antigen in IDAS-ELISA but MAbs used in DAS₁-ELISA and in DAS₂-ELISA, in combination with polyclonal antibodies, showed different reactivity. The reactivity of MAbs in DAS-ELISA was dependent on the individual MAb used as a coating or as a conjugate. Two MAbs showed highest reactivity as coating antibodies but only one of them as a conjugate. The results demonstrate the importance of using different type of ELISA in selecting MAbs for routine diagnosis.