Rapid method for the identification and screening of herpesviruses by DNA fingerprinting combined with blot hybridization.

Rapid characterization of herpesvirus isolates exemplified by equine herpesviruses is described. Total DNAs were isolated from virus infected small scale cell cultures. The DNA fragments obtained after restriction enzyme digestion were separated on agarose gels, transferred and immobilized on filter membranes. A radioactively labelled probe derived from the purified DNA of an EHV-1 reference strain was used for hybridization in order to detect the restriction fragments of different EHV-1 field isolates. This method allows the typing of many isolates within a short period of time.