Studies on the classification of bovine enteroviruses

Bovine enteroviruses isolated from cattle and other ruminants in various areas of the world were classified into three distinct serotypes by cross-neutralization tests using criteria established for the differentiation of human enteroviruses. According to Western blot analysis, however, immunodominant structural polypeptides VP1 of the viruses tested have common epitopes, recognized by antisera to each of the three serotypes. These findings indicate that non-neutralizing epitopes on VP1 are generally conserved. It is, therefore, conjectured that bovine enteroviruses were derived from a common ancestor.