Detection of BVD viruses using synthetic oligonucleotides.

This study examined synthetic oligonucleotide probes as potential diagnostic tools for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Six 20-base sequences from across the genome were selected by homology analysis of the published genomic sequences of the NADL and Osloss isolates of BVDV. RNA was extracted from 22 BVDV isolates propagated in bovine turbinate (BT) cells, blotted, and probed with 32P end-labeled oligonucleotides. The stringency conditions used were such that more than a single base mismatch would result in no hybridization. The probe originating nearest the 5' end of the viral RNA, ND001, detected 86% of the viral isolates while the other probes detected from 19% to 57%. Both cytopathic and noncytopathic isolates were detected by these synthetic probes. A cocktail of these probes were used to specifically detect BVDV RNA extracted directly from tissues of cattle either persistently or acutely infected.