Analysis of ruminant respiratory syncytial virus isolates by RNAse protection of the G glycoprotein transcripts

Two different respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) radiolabeled probes were us ed to characterize the genetic heterogeneity of 25 ruminant RSV isolates by the ribonuclease protection assay. A P-32-radiolabeled antisense RNA probe was transcribed from cloned ovine and bovine RSV G glycoprotein genes and then hybridized with total RNA isolated from infected cells with various ru minant RSV isolates. The results of this study, along with previously publi shed nucleotide sequence data of the ovine RSV G glycoprotein gene, suggest the presence of at least 2 ruminant RSV subgroups. One subgroup is represe nted by RSV isolated from respiratory disease outbreaks from calves and goa ts, and the other is represented by RSV isolated from sheep.