RICKETTSIA MONOCLONALS

Rickettsia monoclonals have been produced against both protein and LPS (lipopolysaccharide) antigens of several species over the years. Some of the more popular ones have been made available for researchers in the field and are in stock, ready for shipping. Other clones require a few weeks of preparation.

Since those induced by immunization with outer-membrane proteins are rarely species-specific, the patterns of reactivity follow the relationships seen in the dendrogram of relationships. For example, Rickettsia conorii conorii may also react with R. conorii caspia and R. rickettsii, but not R. conorii indica. Graded reactivity to a range of different species is available for all clones (see individual datasheets). Please note that these reactivites were noted on formalin-inactivated whole cells by MIF testing.

In contrast, those clones induced by immunization with LPS show classic reactivity across the group. Monoclonal anti SFG LPS detects all spotted fever Rickettsia, while anti typhus group LPS reacts with both R. typhi and R. prowazekii. These reagents are especially useful for immuno-histochemistry (IHC) staining where the particular species may or may not be known, but a multi-purpose mouse monoclonal can detect it cleanly.