An immunological method to determine antigenic variation in three strains of myxoma virus

A technique is described for the purification of soluble antigens of three strains of myxoma virus. Radioimmunoassays were used to study the antigenic differences between the three strains. Results show that the soluble antigens isolated from Lu and G.V. strains do not cross-react in rabbits tested, suggesting that rabbits infected with Lu and G.V. strains of the myxoma virus can be readily distinguished. Antigen isolated from the U.F.S. strain cross-reacted with sera from both Lu- and G.V.-infected rabbits.