Generation of a nucleic acid probe specific for the alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 and its use for the detection of malignant catarrhal fever virus DNA in blue wildebeest calves (Connochaetes taurinus).
Two WC 11 specific DNA fragments, 3 kb and 2 kb in size, respectively, were cloned and evaluated as probes for their use in diagnostic and epidemiological investigations of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Field specimens including blood, ocular fluid, nasal mucus and urine of blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) calves in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, were tested and found positive for excretion of MCF-virus by slot blot hybridization. In 2 cases MCF-virus DNA was detected in the urine of the calves. No hybridization was observed with DNA from other bovine herpesviruses.
Michel
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Department of Virology, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa.
D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008304:Malignant Catarrh / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral