[Preparation of monoclonal antibodies to super early human cytomegalovirus proteins and their use for detecting infected cells]

Abstract

Twenty-six mouse hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (MAB) to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) proteins have been obtained. MAB produced by three hybridomas were studied in detail. MAB were active in indirect immunofluorescence and solid-phase enzyme immunoassay, being directed to the super-early viral protein p72. Use of the resultant MAB for analysis of CMV-infected cells demonstrated that by specificity and sensitivity of viral antigen detection they were not inferior to anti-CMV antibodies manufactured by Ortho, USA. Screening of 258 patients with suspected CMV infection showed that these MAB may be used for immunofluorescent detection of CMV antigens in the material isolated from patients and infected subjects.