Production of Monoclonal Antibody to the Infective Stage of Cryptosporidium Infection in AIDS Patients

Cryptosporidium parvum has been recognized as a significant cause of life-threatening diarrhea in Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. Clinical diagnosis of cryptosporidial infections has been primarily based on the detection of infective stage, oocysts, in stools. Anti-Cryptosporidium oocyst monoclonal antibody (mAb), IgG2a, recognizing an antigen of 97 kDa was generated to be used for diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection in AIDS patients using an immunofluorecence. It appeared to react with the surface antigens. Transmission electron micrographs of the infective stage of Cryptosporidium recognized by this mAb demonstrated sporolulated oocysts, which measure $4~6{\mu}m$, and sporozoites excysting from oocysts.