The development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cephalexin

Cephalexin was structurally modified by the attachment of a spacer at the carboxylic acid through which it was subsequently covalently attached to BSA. This method permitted the molecule to be attached without cleavage of the beta-lactam ring giving a conjugate distinct from previously described immunogenic preparations of penicillins and cephalosporins. This approach required the development of a novel spacer molecule, and its synthesis and characterisation are reported. Rabbits were used to raise antisera and the antibodies produced were characterised with respect to their reactivity with cephalexin and various analogues, other cephalosporins, and a number of penicillins.