APPLICATION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES TO QUALITY-CONTROL OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH-DISEASE VACCINES

Panels of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) produced against-foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus types O, A and C were selected for cell culture n eutralization titre (NT), mouse protection index (MPI), trypsin sensit ivity (TSI and avidity to different epitopes. The selected sets were u sed to assay the antigen concentration and the Jit between FMDV vaccin e and challenge strains. It was observed that FMD vaccines protect mor e than 75% of vaccinated cattle when manufactured with antigens charac terized by (1) a high degree of fit with the potency control virus, an d (2) mean ELISA 50% titres (T-50) > 28 for O, > 18 for A and > 75 for C types, respectively, using the cor responding mAb set.