Abstract: An apparatus for candling eggs includes a waterproof housing having a free end, a light source configured to emit visible light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, and a photodetector that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the light source leaving the egg. The photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the light source. The light source and photodetector are disposed within the waterproof housing, and a replaceable bumper is removably secured to the housing free end. The bumper is configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and to shield the photodetector from external light and from direct light from the light source. A processor processes output signals from the photodetector to identify cyclical variations in light intensity and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity.

Abstract: Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein the optical path between a light source and light detector is monitored for obscuring debris and/or malfunctions. A method of candling eggs includes illuminating an egg with light from a light source; receiving light passing through the egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and analyzing the output signal to determine whether the optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered. In response to determining that a respective optical path has been altered, the light source and/or light detector is cleaned and/or inspected for malfunctions. Cleaning the light source and/or light detector may include wiping a surface of the light source and/or light detector and/or spraying a surface of the light source and/or light detector with a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inducing an immune response against Campylobacter in an avian species, especially a domesticated avian species such as chicken, turkey, duck, goose and quail, by administering, in ovo, live cells of Campylobacter.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to the generation of host cells permissive for virus growth, particularly Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibiotic substances of microbial origin, arbitrarily denominated antibiotic GE 811112 factor A, factor B1 and factor B, which are produced by fermentation of Streptomyces sp. DSMZ 14386, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and composition thereof, and their use as an antibacterial agent having activity versus susceptible microbes.

Abstract: The present invention provides live, attenuated Mycoplasma gallisepticum bacteria that exhibit reduced expression of a protein identified as MGA_0621. In certain embodiments, the attenuated bacteria may additionally exhibit reduced expression of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of pyruvate dehydrogenase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, and ribosomal protein L35, relative to a wild-type M. gallisepticum bacterium. Also provided are vaccines and vaccination methods involving the use of the live, attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria, and methods for making live attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria. An exemplary live, attenuated strain of M. gallisepticum is provided, designated MGx+47, which was shown by proteomics analysis to exhibit significantly reduced expression of MGA_0621, and was shown to be safe and effective when administered as a vaccine against M. gallisepticum infection in chickens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a genetically modified PRRS virus which has been modified such that the conserved cysteine in the E protein has been deleted or changed to a non-cysteine residue and polynucleotides that encode it. Vaccines comprising the genetically modified virus and polynucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunizing a cat against feline viruses. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid clone that encodes the capsid protein of the isolated feline calicivirus. The present invention further relates to a live or killed vaccine comprising the isolated feline calicivirus, a subunit vaccine comprising the capsid protein of the isolated feline calicivirus, a nucleic acid vaccine comprising a nucleic acid clone of the isolated feline calicivirus, and a recombinant virus vector vaccine comprising nucleic acid encoding the capsid protein of the isolated feline calicivirus. The present invention also relates to a method for identifying a feline calicivirus useful for producing a vaccine composition and for assays for diagnosing cats infected with feline calicivirus. Also disclosed is a method of immunizing animals, especially cats, against disease, in particular against feline calicivirus (FCV).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to the generation of host cells permissive for virus growth, particularly Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, including plasmids; viral vectors; and transfected host cells that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a North American PRRS virus; and also North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention further provides isolated infectious RNA molecules encoding a North American PRRS virus. The invention also provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, infectious RNA molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells encoding genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses; and genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention also provides vaccines comprising such plasmids, RNA molecules, viral vectors, and North American PRRS viruses, and methods of using these vaccines in swine and in other animals. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells that comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide of a North American PRRS virus.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, wherein the polynucleotide molecule lacks at least one detectable antigenic epitope of North American PRRS virus. The invention also provides vaccines comprising genetically modified North American PRRS virus, RNA molecules, plasmids and viral vectors comprising the isolated polynucleotide molecules. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules further comprising at least one nucleotide sequence that encodes a detectable heterologous antigenic epitope, and vaccines comprising North American PRRS virus, RNA molecules, plasmids and viral vectors comprising such isolated polynucleotide molecules.