World Reference Center for Arboviruses.

Four new phleboviruses were characterized and revisions of the genus Phlebovirus and the family Rhabdoviridae were made. A major effort was made to identify 26 new viruses from Brazil. One of these was from a fatal case of hepatitis, others from birds, wild animals, and mosquitoes and sandflies. The Army-developed Junin vaccine virus was authenticated. Other viruses from ticks, bats, mosquitoes, persons, and mosquitoes from 15 countries were identified. Serological evidence of LCM virus was found in Australian rodents. Technical development of the ELISA for Rift Valley Fever virus and of monoclonal antibodies for the same virus was undertaken. Monoclonal antibodies to Rift Valley fever indicated the existence of at least 2 and probably more epitopes on the virion surface. Monoclonal antibodies to California group viruses showed existence of type specific, subtype specific, and complex specific antibodies. Orbiviruses were found to produce a persistent infection in the Dermacentor variabilis tick cell line. An important technical advance in the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus HI test, the use of formalin fixed lyophilized goose cells increased the antigen titer and now permits the technique to be done under primative conditions. A collection was established of low passage yellow fever and chikungunya strains for use of investigators throughout the world.