Preparation of sera for typing of adenovirus infections by immunofluorescence

The conditions for preparation of adenovirus antisera with group, subgroup and type-specific reactivity to be used in the immunofluorescence technique have been evaluated. Group-specific antibodies were prepared by passing an antiserum against virions or hexons of one serotype through an immunosorbent column containing soluble viral components of an adenovirus type belonging to a different subgroup. The group-specific antibodies were recovered from the solid phase by elution at pH 2.8. Reagents specific for subgroup I and II were obtained by passing anti-dodecon sera through an immunosorbent column containing soluble viral components from heterologous subgroups. In this case antibodies not attaching to the absorbent were recovered. Sera against fibers of subgroup III members could be used as subgroupspecific sera without absorption. Type-specific antibodies were prepared by removal of antibodies of other specificities by passing anti-virion or anti-hexon sera through immunosorbent columns containing soluble viral components of an adenovirus type belonging to the same subgroup. Reagents specific for seven adenovirus types representing Rosen's three subgroups were prepared according to the outlined procedures.