Identification of a group-reactive epitope of group B rotaviruses recognized by monoclonal antibody and application to the development of a sensitive immunoassay for viral characterization.

Group B rotaviruses (GBRs) are fastidious agents which cause enteric disease in humans and a number of other animal species. Detailed study of the role of GBRs in human disease has been hampered by the lack of immunoreagents suitable for large-scale studies. We developed a monoclonal antibody which recognizes a group-reactive antigen contained in a number of strains of GBRs. When utilized in conjunction with a hyperimmune guinea pig antiserum to GBR, this monoclonal antibody can be used in an enzyme immunoassay system to detect a wide range of GBRs. Alternatively, this monoclonal antibody can be combined with sera obtained from GBR-infected animals to devise assays which are largely specific for the homologous strain of GBR. Reactivity was not noted in either system with strains of group A or group C rotaviruses or with other members of the family Reoviridae. These results indicate that GBRs contain both group-reactive and species-specific antigens which are distinct from those found in group A rotaviruses. The availability of well-defined immunoreagents will facilitate detailed studies of GBR infections in humans and animals.