Application of hybridoma technology to the diagnosis of parasitic disease.

Recent applications of hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibodies to the diagnosis of parasitic disease are reviewed. Diagnostic tests, utilizing monoclonal antibodies, have included radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques to detect parasite antigen in host tissues and body fluids and circulating host antiparasite antibody. In general, the use of monoclonal-derived reagents has greatly increased the specificity of diagnosis by eliminating cross-reactions between closely related parasite species, without suffering a significant loss of sensitivity.