Detection of Antibodies to Toxin-Coregulated Pili in Sera from Cholera Patients

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were prepared against toxin-coregulated pili (TCP) isolated from Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor. Despite their limited bactericidal potential, two MAbs were able to mediate biotype-specific protection against experimental cholera in infant mice. These MAbs were used in immunoblotting studies to assess seroconversion to El Tor TCP following cholera. Clear anti-pilus responses were observed in five of nine patients.