Preliminary investigation of the use of indirect immunofluorescence to detect conidia of Brunchorstia pinea

An indirect immunofluorescence staining procedure was developed for detection of Brunchorstiapinea conidia, using antiserum to conidia and a commercially prepared fluorescein isothiocyanate protein A conjugate. The procedure detected B. pinea conidia from culture, pycnidia, and spore-trap collections. Although cross reactivity occurred with spores of Fusarium spp., Sirococcus sp., Phialophora sp., Gliocladium sp., Verticillium sp., and Gelatinosporium sp., these spores were easily distinguished from those of B. pinea by size, shape, septation, and degree of fluorescence. Fluorescent B. pinea like conidia were collected in spore traps located within and outside the New York State quarantine region. However, the identity of B. pinea like conidia could not be corroborated by other methods.