Differentiation of pestiviruses by a hog cholera virus-specific genetic probe.

A hog cholera virus (HCV)-specific genetic probe has been generated after cloning of the genomic viral RNA. This probe distinguished between HCV and the closely related bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Furthermore, it detected a broad spectrum of HCV strains and isolates which differ in their phenotype such as virulence.