Identification of Orthopox virus by isoelectrofocusing in a granulated gel.

Twenty strains of Orthopox viruses (vaccina (3), cowpox (2), monkeypox (2), variola major and minor (7) and whitepox (6)) have been tested by electrofocusing in a granulated gel. From our preliminary results, it appears that there is a clearcut distinction between smallpox and whitepox. If our results are confirmed, it will be the first real genetic marker identified because other in vitro or in vivo test have heretofore failed to differentiate between smallpox and whitepox. Further work is now in progress, to evaluate of the test and it is hoped to find and explanation for the observations now reported.