Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against Pasteurella piscicida, the causative agent of fish pasteurellosis

Six monoclonal antibodies (mabs) produced against Pasteurella piscicida whole cells, cultured under iron limitation conditions, were characterized and specificity tested. Two of the mabs (WE15H1D7 and WE3D6C11) appeared to be specific for P. piscicida lipopolysaccharide, while mabs WE14C10F9 and WE12D7D8 crossreacted with Photobacterium species. The remaining two mabs, WE9D6D8 and VP4B11, crossreacted with other bacterial genera. All mabs reacted with material present in the extracellular products of the pathogen as well as to whole cells, suggesting that the antigens to which antibodies are directed slough off the cell membranes or are secreted to the culture medium. The potential of the mabs as tools for the diagnosis of pasteurellosis is discussed.