Identification and characterization of fowlpox virus strains using monoclonal antibodies

The use of 2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), P1D9 and P2D4, which recognize different fowlpox virus (FPV) antigens, for the identification and characterization of FPV strains was evaluated. Initially, the MAbs were used in conjunction with a dot blot assay that enabled FPV to be differentiated from the avian herpesvirus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus. Confirmation of the specificity of these MAbs was provided by the demonstration that only FPV antigens were recognized by a combination of both antibodies when used for immunoblotting proteins contained in various avipoxviruses. Later, an antigenic characterization of 11 FPV field isolates, 6 FPV vaccine strains, and 3 pigeonpox virus vaccines was performed by Western blotting with the individual MAbs. Whereas MAb P2D4 consistently recognized a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 60 kD, there was variability in the size of the antigen that was immunoreactive with the other MAb. For example, MAb P1D9 recognized an antigen of apparent molecular weight of 46 kD in all vaccine strains except 2 of FPV origin. In these exceptions, either only a 39-kD or both a 42- and 46-kD protein were immunoreactive. As for the field isolates, a 39-kD antigen was recognized in 8 of them, whereas a 42-kD antigen was detected in the remaining 3. Therefore, the more extensive immunoblotting technique may facilitate FPV strain differentiation, whereas routine diagnosis of fowlpox could be accomplished by using the MAb-based dot blot assay.