Abstract:
A microneutralization test for serotyping of FMD viruses is described. It is based
on earlier observations by Booth, Rweyemamu & Pay (1978) that dose-response
relationships in quantal microneutralizations often deviated from linearity. The
typing test described therefore utilizes undiluted virus preparations. In about 90 %
of samples a positive typing was obtained in contrast with about 50 % for the
complement fixation test. The test was also found to be susceptible to minimal
quantities of heterotypic viral contamination.
For strain differentiation the microneutralization test was carried out as a
checkerboard test. When compared with the complement fixation test it was
found to be more specific. The necessity to utilize virus-neutralization test systems
for comparing FMD virus strains particularly for the purpose of vaccine selection
is emphasized. The two dimensional microneutralization test has been applied to
a study of comparing FMDV vaccine strains for Europe, South America, the
Middle East and East Africa.
