IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION FOR DETECTION OF CHICKEN ANEMIA VIRUS IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD SMEARS

Blood smears, obtained from chickens known to be infected with or free from chicken anaemia virus (CAV), were tested to detect CAV DNA by in situ hybridization (ISH). A double-stranded, 1485 base-pair (bp) DNA probe was prepared employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prob e was labelled with digoxigenin or biotin by nick translation. In situ hybridization employing simple specimen preparation, using both digox igenin- and biotin-labelled probes, provided a rapid and inexpensive m ethod for diagnosis oi CAV infection. Infection with CAV was detected by ISH prior to seroconversion by indirect immunofluorescence assay. ( C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.