Induction of amphotericin B-specific antibodies for use in immunoassays.

ABSTRACT

High-titered antisera specific for amphotericin B (AmB) were induced by immunization with a protein conjugate of the D-lysyl AmB methyl ester. These polyclonal anti-AmB antibodies reacted preferentially with AmB or the AmB methyl ester and discriminated sharply between nystatin and AmB. A solid-phase radioimmunoassay was developed with radioiodinated immunoglobulin G fractions derived from the anti-AmB antisera. This assay was capable of detecting AmB in the sera in the same concentration range that is regularly achieved during AmB treatment of systemic fungal infections. This study demonstrated the feasibility of immunoassays in measuring the concentration of AmB in blood and tissue fluids.