Antigenic relationship of Ibaraki, bluetongue, and epizootic Hemorrhagic disease viruses

Abstract

Ibaraki virus, which causes a bluetongue-like disease of cattle in Japan, was compared antigenically with the four serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) found in the U.S. and with the two serotypes of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). No antigenic relationship was found between Ibaraki virus and BTV serotypes 10, 11, 13, and 17 in tests for group or serotype-specific antigens. However, Ibaraki virus and EHDV were related antigenically. The agar gel precipitin and indirect fluorescent antibody tests for group antigens showed two-way cross relationships between Ibaraki virus and EHDV serotypes 1 and 2. The more restrictive serotype-specific neutralization test revealed that antigenic relatedness was stronger between Ibaraki virus and the serotype 2 (Alberta strain) of EHDV than between Ibaraki virus and the serotype 1 (New Jersey strain) of EHDV.