Potential Animal Sources of Antibodies for the Development of a Chloramphenicol Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Background: Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a cheap and effective broad-spectrum antibiotic that has been used in veterinary practice to treat septicaemia, pulmonary, urinary and digestive tract infections. However it has been found to be toxic to humans and may lead to an irreversible aplastic anaemia. Due to these side effects CAP was banned from use in food-producing animals. Objective: The objective of the present study was to produce and select a suitable anti CAP antibody from camels, donkeys or goats for development of a CAP Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Method: The methods employed were immunological for immunization of experimental animals and conjugation for preparation of CAP- HRP (Horseradish Peroxidase) conjugate. Ammonium sulphate was used for purification of the antibodies. Results: Antibody production improved with subsequent boosters in camels whereas in donkeys initial immunization yielded significantly (P<0.05) higher titres of anti-CAP antibodies. The anti-chloramphenicol antibody produced in camels following the 11th booster (797 days after immunization) was found to be more specific and sensitive than that produced in donkeys and goats. Conclusion: From this study it was concluded that anti-CAP antibodies from camels were more suitable for the development of a chloramphenicol ELISA. Key words: anti-chloramphenicol antibodies, camels, goats, donkey