[Antigenic variants of rabies virus isolated in the northeast and southeast of Brazil. Preliminary study].

To help identify the different strains of rabies virus existing in Brazil, the antigenic profile of 13 virus isolates from humans and animals was determined. The indirect immunofluorescence technique was used, with monoclonal antibodies targeted at the viral nucleocapsid. In the northeast of the country five different viral strains were identified, and in the southeast, two. A rhabdovirus isolated from a fox could not be characterized as a rabies virus. Previously, only two antigenic variants had been identified in Brazil. It would appear that distribution of the strains is not related to the species from which they are isolated or to their geographical origin, a finding that differs from previous observations. These preliminary results underscore the need for further research in order to identify the existence and distribution of different strains of rabies virus in Brazil, which would help to prevent rabies vaccination failures.