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Immunochemical Detection of Mycotoxins Associated with Stachybotryotoxicosis
R. Dietrich, Ph.D., E. Johanning, M.D., M.Sc., M. Gareis, D.V.M., Ph.D., Prof., E. Schneider, Ph.D., E. Usleber, Ph.D., E. Märtlbauer, Ph.D., Prof. Institute for Hygiene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin, University of Munich, Munich, Germany e-mail: R.Dietrich@mh.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de

Using high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (Mab) against roridin A which exhibit cross-reactions with satratoxins and other macrocyclic trichothecenes several immunochemical methods were developed for the direct detection of satratoxins in contaminated building materials. Applying a lab-independent enzyme-linked immunofiltration assay (ELIFA) technique positive results were obtained within 10 min for toxin concentrations of > 200 mg/kg. The detection limit of a microtiter plate assay format was 1 mg/kg. For samples contaminated with Stachybotrys chartarum, an excellent agreement could be observed between the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a cytotoxicity test. The results of the EIA could be confirmed by HPLC analyses using immunoaffinity columns for sample clean-up. Furthermore, a new method was established for the sensitive detection of verrucarol in serum. In three out of 58 serum samples traces of verrucarol were detected. Two other sera reacted strongly positive for macrocyclic trichothecenes. Altogether, these results underline the importance and usefulness of immunochemical methods for epidemiological studies on airborne mycotoxins in indoor environments.