ABSTRACT
For long time, the serological criteria were the safest and the easiest way to the clear identification of the individual RNA phage species. The RNA phage serology was at the background of the taxonomic grouping of the Leviviridae family into the Levivirus and Allolevivirus genera. The intrinsic antigenicity and immunogenicity data on the RNA phages, including historically important evidence on the induction of phage-neutralizing antibodies and mapping of the exposed RNA phage B cell epitopes, are the main subject of this chapter. The tight connection of the RNA phages with the history and phylogeny of a immunoglobulins is specified. A special attention is devoted to the rapid development of the modern immunodetection methodology, where the phage MS2 is playing an outstanding role.
