Serological studies on the epidemiology of sandfly fever in the Old World.

Selected human sera from 59 different localities in Africa, the Mediterranean littoral, eastern Europe and Asia were examined by plaque reduction neutralization test against eight sandfly (Phlebotomus) fever virus serotypes (Sicilian, Naples, Arumowot, SudAn 754-61, Karimabad, Salehabad, Gordil and Saint Floris) known to occur in the Old World. Results of these studies provide new information on the geographic distribution and prevalence of human infection with each of the viruses. Specific neutralizing antibodies were detected against all of the agents except Salehabad.

Antigenic relationships of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and Tacaribe virus in the indirect haemagglutination test.

The indirect haemagglutination test has been developed for use with LCM and Tacaribe viruses employing antibody-sensitized erythrocytes. Both in this test and in the indirect haemagglutination inhibition test cross-reactions between LCM and Tacaribe viruses were revealed. This opens new perspectives for group and species identification of arenaviruses.

Mouse immune ascitic fluids--a source of specific globulins for immunofluorescent staining with arboviruses.

Evidence has been obtained that mouse immune ascitic fluids (IAF) can be successfully used as a source of specific globulins for direct immunofluorescence and native IAF for indirect immunofluorescence. Polyvalent and monovalent IAF to arboviruses of group A and B were used. The titre of IAF in indirect immunofluorescence (IF) correlated with that of complement-fixing antibodies.