Detection of circovirus with a polymerase chain reaction in the ostrich (Struthio camelus) on a farm in The Netherlands.

This study describes for the first time the presence of circoviruses in ostrich tissue including embryos. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the detection of the virus in liver samples. The use of a polymerase for low copy detection significantly increased the sensitivity of the test as well as a Southern blot. Viral DNA could be detected in chicks and eggs that did not hatch. For localisation of the virus in the liver in situ hybridisation was performed on a selection of positive liver tissues.