A polyclonal-monoclonal antibody based sensitive sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for specific detection of cholera toxin.

A sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for specific detection of prototype cholera toxin (CT) elaborated by Vibrio cholerae serovar O1 has been developed. The use of a high affinity monoclonal antibody (MAb) for capturing of CT epitopes permitted a high efficiency. Using this ELISA, we sought in vitro production of CT from clinical strains of V. cholerae O1, Non-O1 and from LT-producing E. coli. All culture supernatants of V. cholerae O1 were positive for CT whereas V. cholerae non-O1 and LT producing E. coli were found negative for CT. This ELISA will be particularly useful in specifically designed studies where detection of CT and not of related labile toxins is mandatory.