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Comparative antigenic analysis of glycoprotein variants of ERA and CVS-11 strains of rabies virus by monoclonal antibodies has permitted the delineation of three antigenic sites on the glycoprotein common to both strains. Two additional antigenic sites have been delineated on the ERA strain virus glycoprotein. The topologic relationship of these antigenic sites has been investigated.

In a double-blind comparative trial the immunogenicity of three new tissue culture rabies vaccines was evaluated, using a commercial human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV) lot as the reference. Two different vaccination regimens, a pre-exposure schedule, and an abbreviated 2-1-1 postexposure schedule (two doses of the vaccine applied bilaterally on day 0, with subsequent single doses given on days 7 and 21) were employed. In both, two of the new vaccines, purified chick embryo cell vaccine and purified Vero rabies vaccine, induced an antibody response equivalent to that of HDCV, while the geometric mean titres for the fetal bovine kidney cell vaccine were somewhat lower. The 2-1-1 regimen, a candidate regimen for economical rabies postexposure treatment, evoked a rapid and high titre antibody response with all four vaccines, peaking on day 14.

Octopamine stimulates (20-30-fold) the adenylate cyclase activity in a broken cell preparation of locust flight muscle. This stimulation is mediated by one receptor with an apparent affinity of 3.3 X 10(-6) M. The hydroxyl group in the para position on phenylethanolamine was absolutely necessary to obtain an agonist whereas the meta hydroxyl group or the presence of a catechol almost suppressed the activity. Similar pharmacological profiles were obtained on other locust muscles, i.e. mandibular and extensor tibiae muscles. The affinities of a large series of agonists and antagonists for the octopamine receptor coupled with an adenylate cyclase were compared to those reported for octopamine 1, 2A and 2B receptors based on physiological studies in the locust extensor tibiae muscle. It appears that the octopamine receptor coupled with adenylate cyclase is likely to be identical with the octopamine 2A receptor mediating the increase in the amplitude of slow motoneuron twitch tension. The results of the pharmacological experiments are discussed, in particular concerning the possible relationship between the octopamine receptor and alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Thirty-one monoclonal antibodies, specific for either the nucleoprotein (N) or the non-structural protein (NS; nucleocapsid-associated protein) of the nucleocapsid of the ERA strain of rabies virus, were used to investigate the topography of antigenic sites on the nucleocapsid complex. Based on the results of a competitive enzyme immunoabsorbent assay using these antibodies, five spatially distinct antigenic sites were defined: three on the N protein (groups N I, N II and N III) and two on the NS protein (groups NS I and NS II). Antigenic variations among various street and laboratory strains of rabies virus were analysed by indirect immunofluorescence assay with the monoclonal antibodies specific for the nucleocapsid. Some correlation between the natural nucleocapsid variation and the antigenic topographical map was observed.

The Falck-Hillarp method reveals yellow and green fluorescent areas in the neurohemal part of the corpora cardiaca. Some neurons and the neuropile of the hypocerebral ganglion appear green. The localization of triatiated serotonin taken up and stored in the corpora cardiaca was studied radioautographically in vivo and in vitro with the use of low concentrations of tritiated serotonin. In the neural part of the corpora cardiaca, fibers with 100 nm dense granules were shown to be indolaminergic. Fibers containing 200 nm dense granules and 250 nm clear vesicles are thought to be catecholaminergic.