Highly specific and super-sensitive Dot-ELISA and colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip for detecting Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola of rice bacterial leaf streak

Rice bacterial leaf streak (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), is a worldwide destructive rice bacterial disease, and seriously affects the global rice industry. Effective integrated management measures for BLS depend on the timely and proper detection of Xoc. Here, two highly specific and super-sensitive monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Xoc were first prepared using the cultured Xoc RS105 as an immunogen. Then, two serological assays, Dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) and Colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip (CGICS), were developed for the super-sensitive and broad-spectrum detection of Xoc in homogenates prepared from field-collected rice plants. The newly created Dot-ELISA and CGICS assays can detect ten different Xoc strains from various provinces in China and other countries without cross-reactivity with the other ten tested plant bacteria. Furthermore, Dot-ELISA and CGICS can detect Xoc in bacterial suspensions diluted up to 9.78 × 103 CFU/mL and 4.88 × 103 CFU/mL, respectively, or in rice plant tissue homogenates diluted up to 1:51,200 (w/v, g/mL). Surprisingly, both Dot-ELISA and CGICS serological assays were more sensitive than the conventional PCR. Additionally, analysis results using field-collected rice samples showed that the newly created Dot-ELISA and CGICS were reliable in detecting Xoc in rice tissues. Thus, the two serological assays were highly valuable and effective for the diagnosis of rice bacterial leaf streak in rice-grown areas and for inspection and quarantine of Xoc.