Development of serological procedures for rapid, sensitive and reliable detection of yam mosaic virus in yam tissues

A monoclonal antibody, designated YMV-M24, against yam mosaic virus (YMV), genus Potyvirus, was used to develop a triple antibody sandwich (TAS)-ELISA, dot blot immunoassay (DBI), direct tissue blotting immunoassay (DTBI) and an immunosorbent electron microscopy (ISEM) for the detection of the virus in yam tissues. DBI was most sensitive. DTBI detected YMV in yam tubers and tuber sprouts. TAS-ELISA, DBI and DTBI showed that the concentration of YMV increased from the base towards the tip of yam tuber sprouts. YMV-M24 decorated YMV particles in ISEM. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd