Monoclonal antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum and their characterization

An Indian isolate of P. falciparum was propagated in vitro and monoclonal antibodies were raised against this parasite. Of 11 positive hybrids obtained, 3 were cloned and characterized. When tested in IFA with synchronized cultures dominated by mature schizonts, all three monoclonal antibodies showed distinct fluorescent patterns. These three monoclonals reacted with seven of the eight P. falciparum isolates tested. One of these monoclonal antibodies, which showed a fluorescence pattern similar to the merozoite dot fluorescence reported by previous investigators, also inhibited parasite growth in vitro. The antigens that reacted with the monoclonal antibodies have been isolated by using MAb-affinity columns.