ignorant of the causal agent. In some instances, they represent a threat to livestock and
wildlife health. We present here a multiplex PCR which detects and distinguishes infection
by two such agents, avipoxviruses and papillomaviruses, in avian hosts. We assayed
biopsies and superficial skin swabs from field and preserved museum skin specimens.
Ninety-three percent of samples from symptomatic specimens tested positive for the …