Molecular recognition specificity of Bacillus anthracis spore antibodies.

The sensitivity and specificity of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised against anthrax spore preparations has been assessed by Western blotting. None of the antibodies studied were completely specific in recognizing the anthrax spore surface. A polyclonal serum recognized a wide range of spore surface epitopes and demonstrated limited cross-reaction with the near-neighbour species Bacillus cereus spore surface. Two monoclonal antibodies studied demonstrated more extensive cross-reaction with distant-neighbour species B. globigii and B. subtilis. These monoclonal antibodies did not react with spore surface epitopes but did bind strongly to vegetative cell epitopes in all four Bacillus species studied.