This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Loretu, K Articles by Satalowich, F T Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Loretu, K Articles by Satalowich, F T

Morphologic appearance of inclusion bodies and their association with the antigenic composition of naturally occurring rabies viruses.

Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211.

ABSTRACT

A total of 112 rabies virus-infected skunk brain samples from naturally occurring cases (64 from Missouri, 48 from Kentucky) were code labeled and grouped into two morphologic categories according to the appearance and size of the discrete particles observed by immunofluorescent-antibody staining. The reactivity of the blind-labeled samples was then determined using a panel of 23 antinucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies to test whether morphologic appearance was associated with antigenicity. Two categories were defined and designated; they were morphologic type I (MO-I) and morphologic type II (MO-II). MO-I viruses produced granular-type fluorescing aggregates with no evidence of inclusions compatible in appearance with Negri bodies. MO-II viruses produced at least one and usually many large, round, or oval fluorescing inclusion bodies. No viruses categorized as MO-I reacted with antinucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies 103-7, 239-10, and 120-2; all MO-II viruses reacted positively to these three antibodies, with one exception involving antinucleocapsid monoclonal antibody 239-10. The results indicate a strong association between the reactivity of these antibodies and the morphologic appearance of the aggregates of antigen.