Obtaining of Polyclonal Antibodies against <i>B. anthracis</i> S-layer Proteins and Study of their Specificity in Enzyme Immunoassay
Purified preparations of B. anthracis S-layer proteins - Sap and EA1 were obtained. Developed was the scheme of laboratory animals` immunization, that enabled to receive rabbits' polyclonal antibodies against Sap and EA1 proteins in high titer. 12 strains of B. anthracis, 53 strains of closely-related bacilli and 4 strains of other heterogeneous bacteria were tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and DOT-immunoassay with the use of polyclonal anti-Sap and anti-EA1 antibodies. Analysis of specificity of the obtained antibodies revealed cross-reactions with B. cereus, B. subtilis, B. mycoides and B. megaterium. The specificity of polyclonal anti-EA1 and anti-Sap antibodies was 75 and 83 % respectively. Sensitivity of reaction was 105 and106 m.c. in applying polyclonal antibodies against B. anthracis S-layer proteins