Monoclonal antibodies were produced against both whole cell mycelial extracts and exo-antigen extracts of the causative organism of dry rot, Serpula lacrymans. The antibodies were tested for cross-reactivity against fifteen strains of Serpula lacrymans and nine other fungal species. These species represented either other wood decay fungi or non-decay fungi commonly co-isolated with Serpula lacrymans. The antibodies exhibited a range of specificities with the majority cross-reacting with most of the Serpula lacrymans strains. Although a number of relatively non-specific antibodies were produced, it was possible to obtain antibodies which were specific for Serpula lacrymans. Monoclonal antibodies were subsequently used in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) detection system to screen antigen samples. Non-specific interaction between Serpula lacrymans and enzymelabelled reagents resulted in higher than expected levels of background staining. The incorporation of detergents in buffers reduced but failed to eliminate this prohlem. Using the EIA system many of the antibodies reacted positively with extracts from pine (Pinus sylvestris. L) wood blocks artificially infected with Serpula lacrymans, with greatest reactivity being observed with extracts from blocks showing weight losses of 10-20%. Field samples of different morphological forms of Serpula lacrymans and decayed wood were tested for reactivity with Serpula lacrymans mouse polyclonal antiserum and several monoclonal antibodies. The polyclonal antiserum reacted with all samples tested except a spore extract. The monoclonal antibodies tested exhibited a range of reactions with the different morphological forms of Serpula lacrymans and none reacted with either the spore extract or decayed wood extracts. Future developments of the work and potential applications are discusssed.

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