Differentiation between pathogenic serotype 1 isolates of Marek's disease virus and the Rispens CVI988 vaccine in Australia using real-time PCR and high resolution melt curve analysis

► Differentiation between pathogenic MDV1 and the Rispens vaccine in Australian MDV isolates is possible based on sequence variation in the meq gene. ► Two real-time PCR tests have been developed to differentiate between pathogenic MDV1 and Rispens. ► High resolution melt curve analysis can differentiate between the US isolate Md5, six Australian pathogenic MDV isolates and Rispens. ► High resolution melt curve analysis cannot be used to differentiate pathogenic MDV and Rispens in mixed samples containing both viruses.