[Antigenic variants of rabies virus in France. Monoclonal antibodies].

One hundred and sixteen rabies field isolates from France were studied with monoclonal antibodies for analysis of their nucleocapside antigenic characteristics (by direct or indirect immunofluorescence) or glycoprotein determinants (by neutralization in mice). These studies verified that nucleocapside antigens had only two variants, apparently uncorrelated to animal species or geographic areas. Glycoprotein antigens had also variants which could explain partial defection in cross protection observed in mice having received rabies vaccine prepared from heterologous strains.