Obtaining of Polyclonal Antibodies against <i>B. anthracis</i> S-layer Proteins and Study of their Specificity in Enzyme Immunoassay
Purified preparations of <i>B. anthracis</i> 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 <i>B. anthracis</i>, 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 <i>B. cereus</i>, <i>B. subtilis</i>, <i>B. mycoides</i> and <i>B. megaterium</i>. The specificity of polyclonal anti-EA1 and anti-Sap antibodies was 75 and 83 % respectively. Sensitivity of reaction was 10<sup>5</sup> and10<sup>6</sup> m.c. in applying polyclonal antibodies against <i>B. anthracis</i> S-layer proteins