Abstract: The invention relates in some aspects to recombinant gamma herpes viruses that expresses immunodeficiency virus antigens. Some aspects of the invention relate to vaccine compositions and formulations comprising recombinant gamma herpes viruses that expresses immunodeficiency virus antigens. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for preventing or treating an immunodeficiency virus associated disease. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for preventing or treating AIDS.

Abstract: The invention relates in some aspects to recombinant herpes viruses and their use for expressing and delivering one or more disease-neutralizing agents to a subject to prevent or treat a disease in the subject. Some aspects of the invention relate to virus compositions and formulations comprising recombinant herpes viruses (e.g., recombinant gamma herpes viruses) that expresses one or more disease-neutralizing agents such as antibodies or other agents that can interfere with disease infection or progression. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for preventing or treating an immunodeficiency virus associated disease. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for preventing or treating AIDS.

Abstract: Molecular clones of primate lentiviruses that harbor an engineered non-revertible null mutation in the nef gene and which may further include a non-revertible null mutation in one or more non-essential genetic elements, vif, vpr, vpx, vpu, Negative Regulatory Element, nuclear factor .kappa.B-binding element, or Sp1 binding element sequences are disclosed. Intact viruses containing such mutant genomes are also disclosed. These infectious, nonpathogenic viruses are capable of eliciting a protective host immune response and, thus, are useful as a vaccine that protects against AIDS in human subjects.