Antibody response to 146S particle, 12S protein subunit and isolated VP1 polypeptide of foot-and-mouth disease virus type Asia-1.

The antibody response to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) antigens of type Asia-1 in guinea-pigs was studied by micro-serum neutralization test (MSNT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One inoculation of as little as 1 microgram of binary ethyleneimine (BEI)-inactivated 146S virus particles in guinea-pigs elicited enough neutralizing antibodies to protect them against challenge with virulent virus. However, one inoculation of live 146S virus particles elicited higher levels of neutralizing antibodies in guinea-pigs than that of inactivated 146S particles. One inoculation of 12S protein subunits in guinea-pigs elicited only non-neutralizing anti-12S antibodies detected by ELISA. Similarly, non-neutralizing anti-VP1 antibodies were detected by ELISA after one inoculation of VP1. However, multiple inoculations of 12S or VP1 elicited measurable neutralizing antibodies in guinea-pigs that protected them against challenge.