Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper


Vol 10, Issue 1, 2008

Page Number: 79-81

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOLUBLE ANTIGENS OF SHEEP PDX VIRUS

S. RAJAMUTHU, M. PARTHIBAN, A. WILSON ARUNI AND P. RAMADASS

Abstract

The soluble antigens were separated from five local isolates of Tamil Nadu by high-speed ultracentrifugation. The different molecular weight polypeptide bands along with sheep poxviral specific polypeptide band (> 100 kDa) was observed. Hyperimmune serum was raised in rabbits against soluble antigens and they were characterized with the serological tests such as AGPT and CIE. The soluble antigens besides containing major precipitinogens, the non-infectious nature could be exploited for the formulation of new diagnostic kits. Disease caused by capripoxviruses is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sheep, goat and cattle in large areas of Africa and Asia. Diagnosis of sheep poxvirus is mainly done by clinical signs followed by further laboratory confirmation. Cragie (1932) used the term filterable precipitable substances to describe the material present in the virus free extract of vaccinia, infected tissues that reacted with anti-