title: Cross-Reactivity of Neutralizing Antibodies among Malignant Catarrhal Fever Viruses.
abstract: Some members of the gamma herpesvirus genus Macavirus are maintained in nature as subclinical infections in well-adapted ungulate hosts. Transmission of these viruses to poorly adapted hosts, such as American bison and cattle, can result in the frequently fatal disease malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Based on phylogenetic analysis, the MCF viruses (MCFV) cluster into two subgroups corresponding to the reservoir hosts' subfamilies: Alcelaphinae/Hippotraginae and Caprinae. Antibody cross-reactivity among MCFVs has been demonstrated using techniques such as enzyme linked immunosorbent and immunofluorescence assays. However, minimal information is available as to whether virus neutralizing antibodies generated against one MCFV cross react with other members of the genus. This study tested the neutralizing activity of serum and plasma from select MCFV-infected reservoir hosts against alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1) and ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). Neutralizing antibody activity against AlHV-1 was detected in samples from infected hosts in the Alcelaphinae and Hippotraginae subfamilies, but not from hosts in the Caprinae subfamily. OvHV-2 neutralizing activity was demonstrated in samples from goats (Caprinae) but not from wildebeest (Alcelaphinae). These results show that neutralizing antibody cross reactivity is present to MCFVs within a virus subgroup but not between subgroups. This information is important for diagnosing infection with MCFVs and in the development of vaccines against MCF.
authors.affiliation: Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.|Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
authors.forename: Naomi S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Taus
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
authors.forename: Cristina W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marquard
authors.affiliation: Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America.
authors.forename: Donal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.affiliation: Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.|Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006041:Goats; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008304:Malignant Catarrh / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D004279:DNA, Viral