Natural Infection of Tobacco by Colombian Datura virus in Poland, Germany and Hungary

In 2004, a virus infection of tobacco with a so far unknown virus was observed in three Central European countries, Poland, Germany and Hungary. By means of cloning and sequencing of a partial cDNA of the virus the causal agent was identified as Colombian Datura virus (CDV). Comparison of the sequences of cloned cDNAs of isolates from all three locations together with phylogenetical analysis revealed that they were closely related to each other and already published isolates, but of different origin. Polyclonal antibodies were produced which reacted specifically with CDV. They were used for immunocapture reversetranscriptase polymerase chain reaction. In future they can be used for the virus survey in tobacco