Differentiation of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) genome segment B of very virulent and classical lineage by RT-PCR amplification and restriction enzyme analysis.

Abstract

Molecular characterization of IBDV usually relies on the analysis of segment A of the bi-segmented, double-stranded RNA genome. Although segments B of classical and very virulent IBDVs differ significantly, re-assortment of genome segments does occur, and molecular epidemiological studies demand the analysis of both segments. An RT-PCR and restriction enzyme analysis for molecular discrimination between genome segment B of classical and very virulent IBDVs is described. Tested on eight IBDV strains/isolates, the protocol successfully identified very virulent and classical IBDVs as well as a segment reassortant. This approach is a valuable tool for molecular epidemiological studies on IBDV.