ARS | Publication request: ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF CITRUS LEPROSIS VIRUS INDICATES POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION OF TWO DISTINCT VIRUSES

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2004
Publication Date: June 15, 2004
Citation: Guerra, A.S., Manjunath, K.L., Brlansky, R.H., Howd, D., Lee, R.F. 2004. Ultrastructural and molecular characterization of citrus leprosis virus indicates possible association of two distinct viruses. Phytopathology. 94:S37.

Technical Abstract: Citrus leprosis virus (CiLV) has been present in South American countries for several decades. The recent occurrence of this virus in Central American countries poses a serious threat to the U.S. citrus industry where it does not occur. Rhabdovirus-like particles have been associated with CiLV. Rapid diagnostic methods are essential for both prevention and management. Two virus types were identified in CiLV-infected tissues collected at different locations: one with virus particles occurring in the cytoplasm and the second with virus occurring predominantly in the nucleus. Putative viral sequences have been determined by screening and sequencing of a large number of cDNA clones from tissue infected with cytoplasmic-type virus particles. RT-PCR using primers designed from this sequence has shown a consistent association with CiLV symptoms having the cytoplasmic virus particles from several countries. However, RT-PCR and hybridization assays did not give positive results when testing CiLV symptomatic tissue having the nuclear type virus particles. This data suggest that symptoms commonly associated with CiLV may be caused by two distinct viruses.