This virus has a close serological relationship (ELISA/antiserum to the capsid protein) with another well known Potexvirus called Papaya mosaic virus (PapMV). This relationship has led to several examples of misdiagnosis in the past.Eshenaur, B.C., V.E. Jarlfors, K.A. Kelly and J. O'Mara. 1995. Detection of a virus infecting portulaca hybrids in Kentucky and Kansas greenhouses. (Abstract). Proceeds of American Phytopathological Society 85: 1171. Sequencing has shown that the core region of the capsid protein is only 79.8% identical to PapMV at the nucleotide level. Isolates of AltMV have shown a 93-99% nucleotide identity to the original Australian isolate.
