Project Number: 3625-32000-095-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 23, 2007
End Date: Jun 30, 2008

Objective:
Provide differentiation between eradicated/exotic viruses and endemic viruses that produce clinical manifestations similar to eradicated/exotic viruses.

Approach:
Presumptive diagnosis of viral infections in the field are often made based on "classic" clinical signs. Clinical manifestation such as the formation of vesicles in and around the mouth observed with foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) are not unique to these eradicated viruses and may be observed after infection with viruses that are presently endemic to the United States. While tests are available that will identify eradicated/exotic viruses such as FMDV, tests may not be readily available for viruses that may be confused with them based on clinical signs. Sequences of divergent adenoviruses will be compared to identify genomic motifs that are 1) specific for all adenoviruses and 2) specific for the adenovirus producing hemorrhagic disease of deer. Tests will be developed based on these motifs and validated using material from the adenovirus collections of the USDA and field samples.