[Immunochemical characterization of rabies virus: determination of precipitable antigens]

Immunodiffusion and immuno-electrophoresis techniques were used to detect rabies precipitable antigens. The passive haemagglutination test with group "O" human red cells treated with tannic acid, was used as control test. The study was done with brain suspensions of rabies virus infected mice (CVS strain). Mouse and horse rabies antisera were used. The analysis of the results of both immunochemical assays showed the presence of two specific antigenic fractions of rabies virus. The same two fractions were detected when the antigens were heated. Experiments with brain extracts centrifuged at high speed, suggested that the antigenic fractions are of the "soluble" type.