Relationships of bunyamwera group viruses by neutralization.

A standardized serum dilution plaque reduction neutralization test was used for cross-neutralization studies of 23 strains of Bunyamwera serogroup viruses. Antigenic relationships were determined by inspection of the neutralization tests results as well as by numerical taxonomic analysis. Based on these analyses five complexes, containing 1-11 viruses, were distinguished. Little or no cross-reactivity was observed between viruses of different complexes. Three of the viruses tested were indistinguishable from prototypes and probably represent strains or varieties of those prototypes. A tentative classification scheme for the Bunyamwera group is presented.