EN
The nested PCR technique (Borchers and Slater, 1993) was applied for the diagnosis of EHV-1 infections. DNA samples were isolated from livers of miscarried fetuses or dead foals. After amplification we detected EHV-1 specific sequences in 9 out of 15 fetuses and in 2 out of 6 foals. PCR results were compared to results of routinely performed immunofluorescent detection of viral antigen in cryosections of tissues. Six tested fetuses were FAT-positive, 7 FAT-negative and 2 were questionable. One FAT-negative fetus and two questionable were PCR-positive. All foals were FAT-negative. We have demonstrated that PCR is more sensitive than FAT and allows verification of inconclusive results of antigen detection. PCR is also suitable for detection of EHV-1 specific sequences in archival samples frozen up to 3 years.