Enzyme immunoassay and monoclonal antibodies for immunological studies of the mutans group of streptococci.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were prepared from myeloma cells and splenocytes of mice immunized with Streptococcus cricetus HS1 or Streptococcus downei MF25 cells. Various makes of immunoplates were coated with whole cells or purified polysaccharide antigens of oral streptococcal strains and tested for reactivity in enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using the Mabs. It was revealed that different immunoplates had different reactivities. It was also shown that the EIA system and MAbs were useful for the immunological study and identification of oral streptococci.