Canine parvovirus (CPV) is classified as a member of the feline parvovirus (FPV) subgroup. CPV isolates are divided into three antigenic types: CPV type 2 (CPV-2), CPV-2a, and CPV-2b. Recently, new antigenic types of CPV were isolated from Vietnamese leopard cats and designated CPV-2c(a) or CPV-2c(b). CPV-2c viruses were distinguished from the other antigenic types of the FPV subgroup by the absence of reactivity with several monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). To characterize the antigenicity of CPV-2c, a panel of MAbs against CPV-2c was generated and epitopes recognized by these MAbs were examined by selection of escape mutants. Four MAbs were established and classified into three groups on the basis of their reactivities: MAbs which recognize CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c (MAbs 2G5 and 20G4); an MAb which reacts with only CPV-2b and CPV-2c(b) (MAb 21C3); and an MAb which recognizes all types of the FPV subgroup viruses (MAb 19D7). The reactivity of MAb 20G4 with CPV-2c was higher than its reactivities with CPV-2a and CPV-2b. These types of specificities of MAbs have not been reported previously. A mapping study by analysis of neutralization-resistant mutants showed that epitopes recognized by MAbs 21C3 and 19D7 belonged to antigenic site A. Substitution of the residues in site B and the other antigenic site influenced the epitope recognized by MAb 2G5. It was suggested that the epitope recognized by MAb 20G4 was related to antigenic site B. These MAbs are expected to be useful for the detection and classification of FPV subgroup isolates.
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