Evaluation of the anti-LipL32 monoclonal antibodies potential for use in leptospirosis immunodiagnostic tests

LipL32 is the major lipoprotein in the membrane of pathogenic leptospira. In this work, we report on the production of monoclonal antibodies ( MAbs) against recombinant LipL32 (rLipL32) and on the evaluation of their potential for use as reagents in diagnostic tests for leptospirosis. The MAbs were all of the IgG2b isotype and reacted specifically with native LipL32 in pathogenic serovars only. MAbs reacted in the same region of the rLipL32 molecule and their affinity constant was between 5 x 10(7) M-1 and 6 x 10(6) M-1. These results suggest that although the MAbs cannot be used together, they are well suited for diagnostic tests of leptospirosis based on LipL32 detection.