Characterization of a caprine herpesvirus.

A virus, which was isolated from kids (Capra hircus) affected with a relatively severe generalized infection, was found to contain DNA and to have a buoyant density of 1.2820 g/cm3. The virus was sensitive to the action of lipid solvents and trypsin and was rapidly inactivated at pH 3.0 and at temperatures of 50 and 56 C. The virion, an icosahedron consisting of a nucleoid surrounded by a double membrane, measured approximately 135 nm in diameter. On the basis of its chemical and physical properties, the virus is considered a herpesvirus.