Monoclonal Antibody DZ-1 for M. leprae (leprosy bacillus)

Category: Biology and Medicine

Reference Number: 00112

Description

The DZ-1 monoclonal antibody detects specific antigen for the leprosy bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. The recognized antigen is Phenolicglycolipid-I (PG-I). The monoclonal antibody reacts with the innermost sugar (0-3-methylrhamnose) of the trisaccharide antigenic component of the PG-I.

Applications

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an infectious disease commonly manifested by cutaneous and neural lesions. The antibody response of the DZ-1 monoclonal antibody to the PG-I antigen is highly specific and has been shown to detect the leprosy-associated antigen PG-I in blood/serum, nasal secretions, tissues and urine. It could be used in a leprosy diagnostic test kit and also to monitor treatment progress.

Main Advantages

Higher sensitivity to PG-I than other known monoclonal antibodies. Very high titers or concentration is produced in ascites fluid.

Inventor(s)

James T. Douglas
Microbiology

Contact Information

For licensing information, please contact Dick Cox at rcox@hawaii.edu

For all other inquiries, please write to:

Office of Technology Transfer & Economic Development
University of Hawai’i
2800 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 280
Honolulu, HI 96822