electrophoresis (PAGE). As more sensitive molecular methods are
not available, it is likely that the true frequency of RVs-D in birds
is underestimated. Therefore there is a need for developing more
sensitive techniques in order to improve our knowledge of the
molecular diversity of RVs-D infecting birds. The aim of this study
was to develop a method to detect RVs-D in birds using on RT-PCR
assay based on the amplification of the VP6 gene.