Abstract
Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) is the causal agent of banana xanthomonas wilt, a major threat to banana production in eastern and central Africa. The pathogen is present in very high levels within infected plants and can be transmitted by a broad range of mechanisms; therefore early specific detection is vital for effective disease management. In this study, a polyclonal antibody (pAb) was developed and deployed in a lateral flow device (LFD) format to allow rapid in‐field detection of Xcm. Published Xcm PCR assays were also independently assessed: only two assays gave specific amplification of Xcm, whilst others cross‐reacted with non‐target Xanthomonas species. Pure cultures of Xcm were used to immunize a rabbit, the IgG antibodies purified from the serum and the resulting polyclonal antibodies tested using ELISA and LFD. Testing against a wide range of bacterial species showed the pAb detected all strains of Xcm, representing isolates from seven countries and the known genetic diversity of Xcm. The pAb also detected the closely related Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vasculorum (Xav), primarily a sugarcane pathogen. Detection was successful in both naturally and experimentally infected banana plants, and the LFD limit of detection was 10 5 cells mL −1 . Whilst the pAb is not fully specific for Xcm, Xav has never been found in banana. Therefore the LFD can be used as a first‐line screening tool to detect Xcm in the field. Testing by LFD requires no equipment, can be performed by non‐scientists and is cost‐effective. Therefore this LFD provides a vital tool to aid in the management and control of Xcm.
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Claims 6
Claim · model-written summary
Of the published Xcm PCR assays independently assessed, only two gave specific amplification of Xcm.
Verbatim
e0“only two assays gave specific amplification of Xcm”
Claim · model-written summary
The polyclonal antibody detected all Xcm strains tested, representing isolates from seven countries.
Verbatim
e0“the pAb detected all strains of Xcm, representing isolates from seven countries”
Claim · model-written summary
The polyclonal antibody also detected the closely related Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vasculorum, primarily a sugarcane pathogen.
- Taxon
- Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vasculorumXanthomonas axonopodis pv. vasculorume0
- Outcome
- also detectede0
Verbatim
e0“The pAb also detected the closely related Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vasculorum (Xav), primarily a sugarcane pathogen”
Claim · model-written summary
Xcm was successfully detected in both naturally and experimentally infected banana plants.
Verbatim
e0“Detection was successful in both naturally and experimentally infected banana plants”
Claim · model-written summary
The limit of detection of the lateral flow device was 10 5 cells mL −1.
Verbatim
e0“the LFD limit of detection was 10 5 cells mL −1”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors conclude the lateral flow device can be used as a first-line screening tool to detect Xcm in the field.
Verbatim
e0“the LFD can be used as a first‐line screening tool to detect Xcm in the field”