Preparation of monoclonal antibodies cross-reactive with orthopoxviruses and their application for direct immunofluorescence test.

Variola virus (smallpox virus), vaccinia virus (VV), cowpox virus (CPV) and ectromelia virus (EV) belong to the genus Orthopoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. To establish the possible diagnosis for smallpox infection, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against VV and CPV were produced. The cross-reactivity of seven MAbs with cells infected with various strains of the orthopoxviruses (CPV, VV and EV) was confirmed by an immunofluorescence (IF) test and other immunological analyses. Four and three MAbs reacted with the common antigen of all poxviruses (probably NP antigen) and the antigen involved in neutralization, respectively. We developed the IF test using these MAbs. The direct IF test required only 45 min to perform. Smallpox infection is now eradicated, but it is important to prepare for the diagnosis of smallpox in an emergency. The direct IF assay using MAbs cross-reactive with orthopoxviruses is rapid, simple, specific, applicable for multiple samples, and will make it possible to screen for and detect orthopoxviruses that include variola virus with tissue impression smears from skin lesions in most laboratories or institutes.