Antigenic variants of rabies virus.
Monoclonal antibodies directed either against the nucleocapsid or the glycoprotein of rabies virus were reacted by indirect immunofluorescence and mouse neutralization tests with vaccine strains and rabies field isolates of various origin. Major antigenic determinants allow the grouping of viruses and minor ones the differentiation of virus strains. A protection study showed the existence in nature of certain antigenic variants against which conventional vaccines do not fully protect. The isolation of two such variants from 'imported' bats in the Federal Republic of Germany is reported here for the first time.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D002685:Chiroptera; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins