[Monoclonal antibodies to the Machupo virus: their isolation and preliminary characteristics].

Six monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma cell lines were generated by fusion of NS-1 myeloma cells with BALB/c immune splenocytes. Monoclonal antibodies (MCA) specific to Machupo virus NP protein were used to study cross-reactivity between pathogenic and nonpathogenic arenaviruses. It was shown that 3140 MCA cross-reacted in IFA with Lassa, Tacaribe, and Tamiami arenaviruses whereas 3101 MCA reacted with Machupo virus alone.

[The cultivation and physicochemical properties of the Josiah strain of the Lassa virus].

Data on the stability of Lassa virus, Josia strain, isolated from man to the effect of physicochemical factors (heating at 50 degrees C, solutions of urea and formalin of various concentrations, UV irradiation) as well as on the time course of this strain reproduction in cell lines of different origins are presented. Recommendations for lowering of reactogenicity of the virus-containing material are given. The experimental results must be taken into consideration in the development and manufacture of diagnostic and therapeutic-prophylactic preparations for Lassa fever.