GENE FOR A-TYPE INCLUSION-BODY PROTEIN IS USEFUL FOR A POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION ASSAY TO DIFFERENTIATE ORTHOPOXVIRUSES

Orthopoxvirus species were identified and differentiated by polymerase chain reaction amplification of genome DNA using a single primer-pair based on sequences coding for the major protein component of the cowp ox virus acidophilic-type inclusion body (ATI). DNA available for 6 of 8 Old World (cowpox, variola, monkeypox, camelpox, ectromelia and vac cinia viruses) and 3 New World (skunkpox, volepox, and raccoonpox) res ulted in amplicons that ranged in size from 510 to 1673 base pairs dep ending on the species, except for raccoonpox virus DNA which did not a mplify. XbaI digest gel electrophoresis profiles of the amplicons impr oved resolution of the differences. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.