New endogenous herpesvirus of guinea pigs: biological and molecular characterization

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Abstract
Two known guinea pig herpesviruses, guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) and guinea pig herpes-like virus (GPHLV), are well characterized. A 3rd herpesvirus (GPXV) was originally isolated from leukocytes of healthy strain 2 guinea pigs. Growth of GPXV in guinea pig embryo fibroblastic cells produced a characteristic cytopathic effect. EM of guinea pig cells infected with GPXV revealed the morphological development of a herpesvirus. Cross-neutralization tests and immunoferritin EM demonstrated that GPXV, GPCMV and GPHLV were serologically distinct herpesviruses of guinea pigs. To confirm the distinction between these 3 herpesviruses, DNA genomes were compared by CsCl equilibrium buoyant density measurements and restriction endonuclease cleavage analysis. 32P-labeled viral DNA was obtained from nucleocapsids isolated from virus-infected cells, and the buoyant density of GPXV DNA differed from that of GPCMV and GPHLV. Cleavage of viral DNA with restriction endonucleases followed by gel electrophoresis revealed distinct patterns for each virus.