Determination of arbovirus group affiliation in the indirect hemagglutination reaction

: A dry polyvalent erythrocyte immunoglobulin diagnostic preparation for arboviruses of Group B may be prepared to be used in the indirect hemagglutination test. The preparation detects antigens of arboviruses of this group in the tissue culture fluid and in suckling mouse brain tissue treated with sucrose-acetone. The test with Group B arbovirus antigens is inhibited specifically by the homologous polyvalent immune gamma globulin. Inhibition of hemagglutination by species-specific immune globulins to individual members of Group B arboviruses permits typing of tick-borne encephalitis birus only. In making the erythrocyte diagnostic preparation, the optimal concentration of the sensitizing immune gamma globulin should be determined experimentally.