[Monoclonal antibodies to the Machupo virus: their isolation and preliminary characteristics].

Six monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma cell lines were generated by fusion of NS-1 myeloma cells with BALB/c immune splenocytes. Monoclonal antibodies (MCA) specific to Machupo virus NP protein were used to study cross-reactivity between pathogenic and nonpathogenic arenaviruses. It was shown that 3140 MCA cross-reacted in IFA with Lassa, Tacaribe, and Tamiami arenaviruses whereas 3101 MCA reacted with Machupo virus alone. It was assumed that these 3101 MCA could be used for differentiation of Machupo virus in IFA.