Specificity, cross-reactivity and competition profile of monoclonal antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1 detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

A group of monoclonal antibodies to the staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1 without any cross-reactivity to the other known staphylococcal enterotoxins A, C2, C3, D and E was developed. The monoclonal antibodies were compared in competition ELISA's with regard to affinity and epitope recognition. Three different groups could be classified: Group 1, consisting of the MAbs B/3-4 and B/3-8, recognizes in identical manner staphylococcal enterotoxin B. Also group 2 (MAb B/3-5) recognizes only staphylococcal enterotoxin B, yet group 1 and 2 do not compete with each other in the competition ELISA and therefore own different paratopes. Group 3 (MAb C1/2-3 and C1/4-6) reacts exclusively with staphylococcal enterotoxin C1, not even with staphylococcal enterotoxins C2 and C3.