Development of an antibody that binds sulfur mustard

An antibody that binds bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide (sulfur mustard) was developed. The immunizing antigen was prepared from the hapten 4-(2-chloroethyl)benzoic acid covalently bound to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The antibody was monitored by a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test antigen consisted of a second hapten, 8-chlorocaprylic acid, covalently bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA). The test antigen was absorbed to the wells of 96-well plates. The immunizing and test antigens contain a common chloroethyl moiety. Thiodiglycol, the principal hydrolysis product of sulfur mustard, does not react with the antibody. This antibody, because of its specificity, has the potential to be a valuable tool for mustard research and forensic detection.