ANTIGENIC DIVERSITY OF EASTERN CANADIAN ISOLATES OF INFECTIOUS PANCREATIC NECROSIS VIRUS

A collection of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) isolated i n five provinces of eastern Canada was analysed by an antigen-coated i mmunosorbent assay and by neutralization tests using selected monoclon al and polyclonal antibodies. Relevant antigenic sires of the two majo r capsid proteins, VP2 and VP3, were simultaneously compared. The A1 s erotype was predominant and no significant variations of VP2 epitopes were observed. However, two subtypes could be distinguished on the bas is of one or two epitopes on VP3. Other serotypes such as A6, A7 or A8 have been detected in piscicultures of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The antigenic characterization of IPNV strains appears of interest fo r epidemiological studies.