Antigenic and biologic characteristics of Venezuelan encephalitis virus strains including a possible new subtype, isolated from the Amazon region of Peru in 1971

Nine strains of Venezuelan encephalitis (VE) virus isolated from the Amazon region of Peru in 1971 were identified as antigenic subtype I based on plaque-reduction neutralization tests with four and 20 units of antibody. A tenth strain, 71D1252, was possibly a new subtype, but was related to subtypes I and III. Hemagglutinins of each strain made from infected mouse brains had optimals pHs of 6.2 and 6.4. Nine strains were pathogenic for adult hamsters and adult mice, but strain 71D1252 inapparently infected some adult hamsters and mice inoculated peripherally. Plaques of nine strains in Vero African green monkey kidney cell cultures were intermediate in size between representative epizootic and enzootic strains, but plaques of strain 71D1252 were small like epizootic strains.

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEEV):strain differentiation and specification of virulence markers

Fourteen strains of VEEV of diverse origin and antigenicity were classified into five virulence categories according to their efficiency of infection and nature of response in mice. Mice of ages up to 30 days represented distinct levels of responsiveness and were suitable for the differentiation of VEEV strains of highest to lowest virulence. Stepwise changes with age of the susceptibility or responsiveness of mice appeared to determined the type of response as predominantly lethal (D), dual or intermediate (DP) or protective (P).

Comparative analyses of members of the Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus complex

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic examination of viruses selected from the Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) complex revealed distinct strain to strain differences in profiles of the two virion envelope proteins. The core protein was identical in all viruses tested. We detected five electrophoretic patterns into which the virus strains could be classified and these were designated alpha (alpha), beta (beta), gamma (gamma), delta (delta), and episolon (episolon). Isolates representing variant E of subtype I exhibited a profile characterized by only one apparent envelope band. The epizootic subtypes I-A, I-B, I-C and the sylvatic subtype II viruses contained at least two envelope proteins which differed in molecular weight according to virus strain but which were not necessarily specific for antigenic variety. These results generally, though not uniformly, support the serologic classification of the VEE virus complex and suggested that the usefulness of the classification scheme could be complemented by the inclusion of biochemical criteria.

Virulence of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus subtypes for various laboratory hosts

Mice, guinea pigs, and duck embryo cell cultures were inoculated with known subtypes of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus and the attenuated (TC-83) strain of VEE. With the exception of TC-83, all strains were highly pathogenic for suckling mice by either intracranial or intraperitoneal routes of inoculation used. Virulence for older mice and guinea pigs provided a means to distinguish strains. In addition, virulence or lack of virulence for adult mice or guinea pigs provides a rapid method for separating epizootic subtype IB from TC-83 VEE virus isolates.

Homegeneity of Venezuelan encephalitis virion populations of hamster-virulent and benign strains, including the attenuated TC83 vaccine

A hamster-virulent strain of Venezuelan encephalitis virus (BeAn8, subtype III) and a benign strain (BeAr35645, subtype IV) each yielded 100 clones with virulence properties like those of the parental virion population. Another hamster-virulent strain (63U2, subtype I, variety E) was heterogeneous since 2 out of 100 clones were less virulent for hamsters than the other 98 clones or the parental virus population. The attenuated TC83 vaccine strain, (a derivative of subtype I, variety A), although over 99% homogeneous with respect to hamster virulence, was unstable since virulent virions could be selected from the parental population by passage through hamsters.

Chromatography of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus strains on calcium phosphate

Column chromatography of selected Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) viruses on calcium phosphate gel offered a simple and reproducible method for examination of biochemical characteristics and relatedness of strains within the VEE complex. Members of antigenic subgroup I demonstrated a series of elution profiles within a narrow range of 0.22 to 0.25 M phosphate buffer. Members of antigenic subgroups II, III, and IV differed substantially among themselves and viruses of antigenic subgroup I. These differences in elution behavior may contribute to understanding of observed differences in biological behavior and antigenic variation among VEE viruses.