Abstract:
Rabies and rabies-related viruses are divided into four serotypes, although it has been suggested that
the inclusion of European bat lyssaviruses results in six genotypes. Sixty-four rabies-related viruses
were tested against a panel of 36 anti-nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies prepared from the immunization
of Balb/ʗ mice with five prototypic rabies-related viruses. Reaction patterns obtained confirmed
the original distinction between serotype 1-4 viruses and revealed multiple variants of Lagos bat
and Mokola viruses. In addition, two biotypes of European bat lyssavirus were identified and a clear
distinction was shown between these biotypes and Duvenhage virus of Africa. The origins and importance
of the rabies-related viruses are discussed.
