Antigenic analysis of some Nigerian street rabies virus using monclonal antibodies

Abstract

The authors studied 12 street rabies virus isolates from 3 states of Nigeria using both the anti-nucleocapsid and anti-glycoprotein monoclonal antibodies and cross-protection tests. It was observed that all the viruses were rabies having divergent antigenic presentation. Also noticed was an antigenic shift when the viruses were passed through different hosts. Two antirabies vaccines used did not protect animals when challenged through the orthodox route and only traces of protection by one of the vaccines were observed when the route of challenge was intramuscular. In the virus isolation and adaptation, the BHK 21 cell lining was found to be only 37% efficient while the Murine neuroblastoma cells were about 75% efficient. Keywords:Antigenic, Nigerian street rabies virus, monoclonal antibodies. Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 27 (2) 2006: pp. 41-53