[Determination of the antigenic specificity of the neuraminidase of influenza viruses].

The principal possibility of using beta-propiolactone-inactivated and lyophilized antigens of influenza A and B viruses and of mouse immune ascitic fluids to them for the determination of the antigenic specificity of neuraminidase has first been established. A simpler and easier method requiring no expensive reagents: inhibition of influenza virus release from erythrocytes was tested. This method is as specific as the labour-consuming and difficult test of neuraminidase activity inhibition, and allows a rapid and accurate identification of the type of neuraminidase of influenza viruses of various origins to be made.