Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccine, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: A method for the quantification of a vaccine strain and/or a virulent strain of Marek's Disease Virus Serotype-1 (MDV-1) in a sample from a bird, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biological sample from the bird and optionally isolating nucleic acid from the biological sample; (ii) subjecting the biological sample of (i) to real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) comprising: (a) amplification of a region of the pp38 gene within the nucleic acid sample of (i), said region containing a consistent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) difference between vaccine and virulent strains of MDV-1; and (b) contacting the amplified nucleic acid of (a) with a detectable nucleic acid probe specific for the SNP of the vaccine strain of MDV-1 and/or a detectable nucleic acid probe specific for the SNP of the virulent strain of MDV-1; and (iii) Measuring changes in the detectable signal produced by the probe of (ii). Methods are also provided for the absolute quantification of vaccine and virulent viruses.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection is further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccine, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.