Characterization of antigenic variation among mink enteritis virus isolates.

Three antigenic forms of natural field isolates of mink enteritis virus were revealed with a panel of monoclonal antibodies generated against the closely studied feline panleukopenia virus and canine parvovirus-2 virus. Two types (types 2 and 3) were shown to be closely related by agar-gel precipitin tests and by restriction enzyme mapping. However, types 2 and 3 differed from the type 1 isolates in the same tests. In cross-protection studies, inactivated viral vaccines made from any one of the 3 variant types of mink enteritis virus protected mink against challenge exposure by the homologous, as well as the heterologous, antigenic types.