Identification and serotyping of Microsporum canis isolates by monoclonal antibodies

Hybridoma cells were produced by fusing mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice primed with an exoantigen of Microsporum canis. Three clones produced antibodies which were examined by the Western blot technique for their potential usefulness in the identification of M. canis isolates and differentiation of strains within the species. Based on reactions with immunological determinants, all of the M. canis isolates tested presented either species- or strain-specific domains. Monoclonal antibodies proved to be useful reagents for the identification of M. canis isolates and for the differentiation of strains within the species. A purified antigen depleted of common antigenic determinants was obtained in affinity chromatography by using monoclonal antibody.