Antigenic Comparison of Boston Exanthem Virus Strains and Their Relationship to ECHO-16 Virus as Studied by Neutralization and Complement Fixation Procedures

Abstract

The discrepancy in clinical manifestations associated with Boston exanthem virus infections, and those produced by the immunologically-related ECHO-16 virus suggested study of the antigenic characteristics of these agents. Neutralization and complement fixation tests were used to examine monkey antisera prepared by single as well as multiple immunizing doses, and to test human sera from patients. Variable serologic patterns within a broad antigenic relationship were found for five strains of exanthem viruses and the prototype strain of ECHO-16 virus. Even the exanthem viruses as a group failed to show uniform immunologic properties. Consideration was given to the possible influence of technical procedures in antigenic studies of ECHO viruses.