American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 122, No. 2: 234-244
Copyright © 1985 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
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MARKERS OF VENEZUELAN ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS WHICH DISTINGUISH ENZOOTIC STRAINS OF SUBTYPE I-D FROM THOSE OF I-E1
2Reprint requests to Dr. Michael E. Wiebe at current address: Department of Cell Culture Research and Development, Genentech Inc., 460 Point San Bruno Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Strains of Venezuelan encephalitis virus isolated from enzootic habitats during interepizootic periods in Middle America and northern South America can be distinguished from each other antigenically by hemagglutination inhibition. This test has provided the basis for the classification of these virus strains into subtypes I-E and I-D, respectively. Virus strains of these two subtypes have been found to differ profoundly with respect to virulence for English short hair guinea pigs. Studies are described which confirm that virus strains of the I-D subtype are guinea pig virulent, and that virulence is not the result of cocycling subpopulations of epizootic subtype I-AB or I-C virtons. Two additional markers were found which distinguish subtype I-D and I-E Venezuelan encephalitis virus strains. Firstly, hydroxylapatite chromatography of intact virions at pH 6.5 showed differential elution of I-D and I-E prototype strains. Virions of subtype I-D strains eluted at 0.08 to 0.11 m phosphate, while those of subtype I-E strains eluted at 0.15 to 0.20 m phosphate. Secondly, the isoelectric points of the E1 envelope glycoproteins of the I-D and I-E prototype strains were significantly different; pH 6.85 to 7.00 and pH 7.25 to 7.30, respectively. There was no significant difference in the isoelectric points of the E2 envelope glycoproteins. These distinguishing characteristics most likely reflect a fundamental difference in virion surface structure.
chromatography; ecology; encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine; isoelectric focusing; viral envelope proteins; virulence
1From the Department of Microbiology, Cornell University Medical College New York, NY.
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