IDENTIFICATION OF THE VIRUS OF RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC-DISEASE IN TUNISIA

During 1992 and 1993, outbreaks of an acute, highly fatal disease main ly affecting adult rabbits were observed in Tunisia. The clinical and pathological findings were consistent with rabbit haemorrhagic disease . A monoclonal antibody designated PG4G3 specific for surface determin ants of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus was used to identify the aetiological agent by ELISA and by colloidal gold immunoelectron micr oscopy; a haemagglutination test and conventional immunoelectron micro scopy were also used. The results confirmed the first recorded cases o f the disease in Tunisia.