Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the recombinant DNA production of a mature form of the PRRSV ORF 3 or ORF 4 protein. This is achieved by the co-expression of the PRRSV ORF 2, ORF 3 and ORF 4 proteins by the same cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steroid derivative which steroidal skeleton is bound at carbon atom 17 to a spiromethylene ring of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.a and R.sub.b are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and halogen; m is 1 or 2; and the asterisk denotes carbon atom 2 of the spiromethylene ring which is carbon atom 17 (or carbon atom 17.alpha. of a homosteroid skeleton) of the steroid. The steroids have progestational or antiprogestational activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides or fragments thereof which are immunochemically reactive with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antibodies. New antibodies directed to said peptides or fragments thereof are also part of the invention.The invention also relates to a method for the detection of EBV or antibodies directed against EBV in a test fluid and also to an immunochemical reagent comprising a peptide, a fragment or a polypeptide according to the invention and a test kit to be used when applying the said detection methods.Detection of EBV in a test fluid or tissue specimen using antibodies, monoclonal and polyclonal, directed to the said peptide, which have the characteristics of detecting both native and denatured EBV-EA protein is also part of said invention.

Abstract: A vaccine and a method of raising neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection. The vaccine comprises a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to CD4 or to succinyl concanvalin A. Also disclosed are immunological tests using the complex or antibody thereto for detection of HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides derived from the autoantigen HC gp-39, said peptides comprising at least one of the amino acid sequences FGRSFTILAS (SEQ ID No. 1), FTLASSETG (SEQ ID No. 2), YDDQESVKS (SEQ ID No. 3) and FSKIASNTQ (SEQ ID No. 4). The peptides resemble MHC Class II restricted T-cell epitopes present on the autoantigen HC gp-39 in articular cartilage. HC gp-39, proteins comprising an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 50% homology with the amino acid sequence YKLVCYYTSWSQYREGDGSCFPDALDRFLCTHIIYSFANISND (SEQ ID No: 10) and said peptides can be used in antigen-specific treatment of articular cartilage destruction in autoimmune diseases in mammals to induce systemic tolerance of the immune system. The autoantigen HC gp-39, proteins comprising an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 50% homology with the amino acid sequence YKLVCYYTSWSQYREGDGSCFPDALDRFLCTHIIYSFANISND (SEQ ID NO: 10) and said peptides are also suitable to induce arthritis in animals, preferably mice.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel Eimeria proteins with immunogenic properties as well as to DNA sequences encoding these proteins. These proteins can be administered to poultry thereby protecting the birds against coccidiosis. In addition the DNA encoding these proteins can be used for the preparation of a vector vaccine against coccidiosis.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an improved method for the quantification of nucleic acid, which can be performed with a minimal amount of nucleic acid amplification reactions. The method according to the invention for the quantification of analyte nucleic acid in a sample comprises the steps of: adding to the sample different respective amounts of different nucleic acid constructs, each construct being distinguishable from the analyte nucleic acid and capable of being co-amplified with the analyte nucleic acid; subjecting the sample to a nucleic acid amplification procedure, using amplification reagents capable of reacting with both the analyte nucleic acid and the nucleic acid constructs; detecting the relative amounts of amplificates derived from analyte nucleic acid and each nucleic acid construct; calculating the amount of analyte nucleic acid from said relative amounts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of quantifying a target nucleic acid in a test sample by adding to the test sample a known number of molecules of a corresponding nucleic acid comprising a well-defined mutant sequence. Said mutant sequence being discriminatory from the target nucleic acid. Subsequently a competitive amplification reaction of the nucleic acid is performed after which quantification of the amplified nucleic acid is performed by a differential detection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to diagnostic reagents for the detection of antibodies against the Epstein Barr Virus and a method for the detection of antibodies to the Epstein Barr Virus in a sample.The diagnostic reagents according to the invention comprise a combination of at least part of an Epstein Barr viral structural protein, preferably a Epstein Barr VCA-protein or an Epstein Barr MA protein, and at least part of an Epstein Barr EBNA protein. Preferably, the VCA-protein is VCA-p18 protein, the MA-protein is MA-gp350/220 protein and the EBNA-protein is EBNA-1 protein.It has been found that the combination of a VCA-protein or a MA-protein, and an EBNA protein, into a single diagnostic assay yields an EBV-antibody detection method with greater sensitivity and accuracy than current methods.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a protein having the immunological properties of Eimeria tenella which is reactive with a monoclonal antibody E. TEN 11P-2 raised against E. tenella sporozoites.The invention also relates to polypeptide fragments of this protein which can be used for immunization against E. tenella. These proteins and polypeptides can be prepared by isolation from E. tenella, by chemical synthesis or by recombinant DNA methods using the polynucleotides described herein or related sequences.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a hog cholera virus vaccine comprising a polypeptide characteristic of hog cholera virus. Vector vaccines capable to express a nucleic acid sequence encoding such a polypeptide also form part of the present invention. Said polypeptide and nucleic acid sequence can also be used for the detection of hog cholera virus infection.

Abstract: A method for in-vivo targeting a functional moiety in a patient by administering a targeting moiety coupled to an affinity component, wherein the targeting moiety has affinity for binding sites in a target area, and administering a binding partner to the affinity component coupled to a functional moiety to localize the functional moiety in the target area. Preferably the targeting moiety is an antibody and the functional moiety is a radiometal when performing in vivo imaging or therapy. The affinity component may be a novel methotrexate analog.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine comprising an antigenic substance and a mixture of two adjuvants wherein one adjuvant is oil-based whereas the other adjuvant is water-based.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel Eimeria proteins with immunogenic properties as well as to DNA sequences encoding these proteins. These proteins can be administered to poultry thereby protecting the birds against coccidiosis. In addition the DNA encoding these proteins can be used for the preparation of a vector vaccine against coccidiosis.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with novel Eimeria proteins with immunogenic properties as well as with DNA sequences encoding these proteins. These proteins can be administered to chickens thereby protecting the chickens against coccidiosis. In addition the DNA encoding these proteins can be used for the preparation of a vector vaccine against coccidiosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine against a virus associated with antibody-dependent-enhancement of viral infectivity. Such a vaccine comprises a herpesvirus vector which is able to spread from cell-to-cell and which does produce non-infectious progeny virions having a gene encoding an antigen of said virus inserted into the herpesvirus genome.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with novel Eimeria proteins with immunogenic properties as well as with DNA sequences encoding these proteins. These proteins can be administered to chickens thereby protecting the chickens against coccidiosis. In addition the DNA encoding these proteins can be used for the preparation of a vector vaccine against coccidiosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides immunoreactive with anti-apolipoprotein(a) antibodies and to their use in raising monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, in immunoassays and of their corresponding oligonucleotides as probes and primers in nucleic acid methodology.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a polypeptide of Eimeria which can be used for the immunization of poultry against coccidiosis. Furthermore, the invention comprises a DNA fragment of Eimeria coding for said polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a Feline herpesvirus (FHV) mutant comprising a heterologous gene introduced into an insertion-region of the FHV genome.The invention also relates to a vector vaccine comprising such an FHV mutant which expresses a heterologous polypeptide derived from a feline pathogen and induces an adequate immune response in an inoculated host against both FHV and the feline pathogen.