Preliminary characterisation of the Sersenk strain of goat pox virus

The Sersenk strain of goat pox virus first isolated in Iraq, grew on chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of developing chicken embryos producing generalised large pocks, 2 to 3 mm in diameter, on the third day post-inoculation. The virus killed the inoculated embryos. Replication of the virus in primary cultures of lamb testis cells induced a cytopathic effect (CPE) and plaque formation characteristic of pox viruses. It was antigenically related to reference strains of goat pox and sheep pox viruses. The virus was sensitive to ether and chloroform, failed to agglutinate erythrocytes and was strictly pathogenic to goats.