Characterization of the TO strains of Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis viruses.

Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis virus isolates from the central nervous systems of spontaneously paralyzed mice and stools of asymptomatic mice resemble Theiler's original virus isolates. In this study four such strains were adapted by blind subpassage to replicate and to produce cytopathic effect in cell culture. These viruses were then found to be closely related to each other and to GDVII virus by cross-neutralization and to form small plaques. Bovine serum was found to contain cross-reacting antibodies to these viruses.