Rabbit Anti-HVX polyclonal antibody for ELISA. Hosta virus X (HVX) has been identified that causes mottled leaf coloring in hostas. Early on, some plants with the disease were propagated and grown for their "interesting" foliage. Currently, plants with "interesting" foliage need to be evaluated closely as the plant may be infected with the virus disease, which can spread to other plants. The principle route of infection is spread of sap from an infected plant to a healty one by contaminated hands or tools. At present there is not evidence that the disease is transmitted by insects, but feeding by rabbits, deer or slugs could potentially vector infected plant sap from plant to plant.