Abstract: The invention relates to the process for generating infectious Newcastle disease virus (NDV) entirely from cloned full-length cDNA and to the use of vaccines and diagnostic assays generated with and derived from said process. The process offers the possibility to modify the NDV genome by means of genetic modification and allows the introduction of mutations, deletions and/or insertions. The process can be used to modify the virulence of NDV, thereby generating new attenuated live vaccines with enhanced properties. The process can be used to modify the antigenic make-up of NDV, thus allowing the generation of live NDV marker vaccines which can be serologically distinguished from NDV field strains.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines used in the eradication or control of pestivirus infections, particularly those used in pigs or ruminants. The invention provides nucleic acid, pestivirus-like particles and a pestivirus vaccine, comprising the nucleic acid or particles, which is capable of eliciting a proper immune response without having the ability to spread throughout the vaccinated animal, thereby avoiding the negative consequences of viral spread. Preferably, the immune response allows for serological discrimination between vaccinated animals and wild-type pestivirus infected animals.

Abstract: The invention is related to diagnostic methods for detecting transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) such as BSE and scrapie and related disease in humans. The invention provides use of guanidine thiocyanate (gdnSCN), or a functional equivalent thereof, for treating at least one sample derived from a mammal, including humans, for reducing the risk of scoring a false-positive test result in testing the sample for the presence or absence of aberrant prion protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for generating infectious Newcastle disease virus (NDV) entirely from cloned full-length cDNA and to the use of vaccines and diagnostic assays generated with and derived from the process. The process offers the possibility to modify the NDV genome by means of genetic modification and allows for the introduction of mutations, deletions and/or insertions. The process can be used to modify the virulence of NDV, thus generating new attenuated live vaccines with enhanced properties. The process can be used to modify the antigenic make-up of NDV, to allow the generation of live NDV marker vaccines that can be serologically distinguished from NDV field strains.

Abstract: The invention relates to Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (“IBDV”) and vaccines therefor. Provided are infectious recombinant Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (“rIBDV”) essentially incapable of growing in a cell that is not derived from a bursa cell, or an infectious rIBDV having retained at least part of the very virulent characteristics of a very virulent Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (“vvIBDV”).

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of diagnosis of and vaccination against Streptococcal infections and to the detection of virulence markers of Streptococci. The invention discloses a method for modulating virulence of a Streptococcus comprising modifying a genomic fragment of Streptococcus wherein the genomic fragment comprises at least a functional part of a fragment identifiable by hybridization in Streptococcus suis to a nucleic acid or fragment thereof as shown in FIG. 5.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines used in the eradication or control of pestivirus infections, particularly used in pigs or ruminants. The invention provides nucleic acid, pestivirus-like particles and a pestivirus vaccine, comprising the nucleic acid or particles, which is capable of eliciting a proper immune response without having the ability to spread throughout the vaccinated animal, thereby avoiding the negative consequences of viral spread. Preferably, the immunological response allows for serological discrimination between vaccinated animals and wild-type pestivirus infected animals.

Abstract: A method and composition for artificial insemination. The method involves artificially inseminating the subject with sperm, wherein the sperm is combined or coadministered with an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase and preferably a soluble salt of an earth alkaline metal. The composition comprises phosphodiesterase inhibitor or a functional equivalent thereof, a soluble salt of an earth alkaline metal and sperm. The method and composition reduce the recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Abstract: The invention relates to the process for generating infectious Newcastle disease virus (NDV) entirely from cloned full-length cDNA and to the use of vaccines and diagnostic assays generated with and derived from the process. The process offers the possibility to modify the NDV genome by means of genetic modification and allows the introduction of mutations, deletions and/or insertions. The process can be used to modify the antigenic makeup of NDV, thus allowing the generation of live NDV marker vaccines which can be serologically distinguished from NDV field strains.