Abstract
Mouse monoclonal antibodies were produced to Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae bacteria of the most common serotype 2. 11 hybridoma cultures were recovered that produced antibodies with moderate to strong reactivity to the antigen. 10 of these antibodies were specific to isolated capsular antigens from H. pleuropneumoniae of serotype 2, while one antibody reacted with capsular antigens from bacteria of all 8 serotypes. One hybridoma producing antibodies with a titre of 1:1000 was cloned and the antibody specificity studied further. The binding of this antibody (1F3) to whole bacteria, and capsular extracts isolated at different temperatures indicate that the antibody is specific for a thermostable polysaccharide antigen present in the cellular capsule of H. pleuropneumoniae of serotype 2.