Monoclonal antibodies to a 16-kDa antigen of Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced to an outer-envelope preparation from Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae, the aetiological agent of swine dysentery. Three MAbs (isotype IgG1) were obtained. All three recognised a 16-kDa antigen that was common to most strains of S. hyodysenteriae of different serotypes but was absent from non-pathogenic, porcine intestinal spirochaetes. Immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling studies showed that the 16-kDa antigen was exposed on the surface of intact spirochaetes. The MAbs agglutinated freshly grown cultures of spirochaetes and inhibited growth of S. hyodysenteriae strains in vitro.