Immunological methods for the detection and characterisation of wood decay basidiomycetes

The potential of immunological probes, viz. antisera, as specific detection systems for the basidiomycete organisms Lentinus lepideus (a major cause of distribution pole failure) and Coriolus versicolor have been investigated. Using immunodot-blot techniques semiquantitative detection systems have been developed for the former organism and immunocytochemical techniquesfor the latter, allowing its visualisation in wood. Specificity studies on the antisera produced indicate that cross reactivity is limited to basidiomycetes, and in particular specific brown and white rot organisms. Cross reactivity can be diminished by suitable absorption. Western blot studies on L. lepideus indicate that the organism contains a number of antigenic species. Immunological methods are appropriate to research in the biodeterioration of wood and will prove valuable in the detection and identification of decay microorganisms.