Summary
Three laboratory strains of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) (Davis, Ad 169 and C 87) and one local strain (T 27) have been compared antigenically using 4 human sera and rabbit hyperimmune-sera to each strain. The human sera and the Ad 169 and C 87 hyperimmune-sera contained complement (C′)-independent antibodies whereas the antibodies produced with strain Davis and T 27 were C′-dependent. The results of the study indicate that rabbit-CMV-hyperimmune sera, whether C′-dependent or not, as well as human sera can be used to demonstrate cross reactions among CMV strains as well as antigenic variations. As all sera neutralized all strains, but mostly with various rates, it is concluded that the 4 strains tested share neutralizing antigens. None of the strains, however, seemed to be antigenically identical. Strain T 27 appeared to be the most distinct from the rest, whereas major serologic differences were not seen between strains Davis and Ad 169. For that reason it does not seem reasonable to retain the terms Types 1 and 2 for strain Davis and Ad 169.
About 200 human sera were screened for neutralizing antibodies using all strains or the 2 most diverse strains (Ad 169 and T 27). The individual sera in low dilution were able to neutralize either all strains or none. On the basis of the kinetic studies strain Ad 169 was found broadly reactive and thus well suited for determination of neutralizing antibodies in human sera.
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Kerzel Andersen, H. Studies of human cytomegalovirus strain variations by kinetic neutralization tests. Archiv f Virusforschung 38, 297–305 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01262820
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01262820