A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for the detection of tetanus toxin using human and murine monoclonal antibodies.

Three human and three murine monoclonal antibodies were tested for their reactivity to tetanus toxin and toxoid and used to establish an enzyme immunoassay specific for tetanus toxin. The dissociation constants of the monoclonal antibodies were between 3.91 x 10(-9) and 8.48 x 10(-12). Two human monoclonal antibodies recognized conformation determinants on the toxin, whereas the others reacted to the heavy chain. Only a combination of antibodies of the two species allowed the development of an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of tetanus toxin with a lower detection limit of 1.2 micrograms/l.