A monoclonal antibody for the detection of Serpula lacrymans

An indirect, enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) using plate-trapped antigen, has been used to demonstrate the specificity of an IgM monoclonal antibody obtained against Serpula lacrymans mycelium. The antibody was employed in tests against a range of wood-rotting fungi including several isolates of S. lacrymans obtained from different sources. All S. lacrymans isolates gave significantly higher ELISA values (at A 450nm ) than any of the other species. The differences were maintained when the fungi were present in naturally or artificially infected timber, or in culture medium. The efficacy of the method was further assessed in a blind test using samples of material provided by Cuprinol Ltd. Samples containing S. lacrymans were positively identified.