Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 October 2009
Thirty-six strains of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) virus were isolated from patients and a number of host animals in various areas in China. They were analysed by an immunofluorescence test (IFAT) using 10 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) specific for the HFRS virus; antigenic differences among the strains have been demonstrated. The HFRS virus strainsrevealed nine different reactions with the McAbs, showing that there are at least nine different antigenic determinants including group-, type- and strain-specific. Analysis of the results shows that antigenic differences among the HFRS virus strains are mainly related to differences in the host animals.