Improved detection of capripoxvirus in biopsy samples by PCR

A simple test based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect capripoxvirus DNA in tissue culture supernatants and biopsy samples. The identity of the PCR products was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. The test has greater sensitivity and good specificity compared to an antigen trapping enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay which uses a detector antibody raised against a recombinant capripoxvirus-specific antigen. The reagents for the PCR-based test are all available commercially and the test provides a valuable addition to the current methods of virus detection.