Development of a Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Typing Assay for the Diagnosis of Bovine Herpesvirus 1, Bovine Herpesvirus 2, and Bovine Herpesvirus 4 Infections

Abstract

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method coupled with a restriction analysis of PCR products (PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism) was developed for the simultaneous detection of bovine herpesvirus 1, bovine herpesvirus 2, and bovine herpesvirus 4 infections. The specificity, sensitivity, and practical diagnostic applicability of this method were evaluated. This assay may be also adapted to the diagnosis of suid herpesvirus 1 and equine herpesviruses 1 and 3 and could become a powerful diagnostic tool.