A procedure for detection and purification of bovine herpesvirus 1 glycoproteins by their affinity for lectins is described. Wheat germ lectin, Limulus polyphemus lectin and concanavalin A, radioactive or biotin-labelled, have been used for the in vitro characterization of the glycoproteins. These lectins have also been used for affinity-purification of sets of glycoproteins. The procedure is easy, rapid, cheap and, when biotin is used, non-radioactive.