Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEEV):strain differentiation and specification of virulence markers.

Fourteen strains of VEEV of diverse origin and antigenicity were classified into five virulence categories according to their efficiency of infection and nature of response in mice. Mice of ages up to 30 days represented distinct levels of responsiveness and were suitable for the differentiation of VEEV strains of highest to lowest virulence. Stepwise changes with age of the susceptibility or responsiveness of mice appeared to determined the type of response as predominantly lethal (D), dual or intermediate (DP) or protective (P).