Monoclonal antibody characterization of rabies virus isolates from Russia, Finland and Estonia.

ABSTRACT

Five different rabies virus variants were identified among rabies virus-positive samples from Russia, Finland and Estonia, using a panel of five anti-nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies. Two rabies virus isolates showed a different reaction pattern, suggesting the presence of a new antigenic variant. The results were compared with the data obtained by other research groups.