Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the TTC8 gene as a biomarker for the prognosis of a canine mammal developing progressive retinal atrophy. The invention also relates to in vitro methods of prognosing progressive retinal atrophy in a canine mammal by detecting a genetic variation within the TTC8 gene and to primers and prognostic kits for use in said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence or absence of a bacterial pathogen in a biological sample obtained from a human or animal subject, using an internal control. In particular, the invention relates to a method for detecting the presence or absence of Streptococcus equi in an equine sample using a control bacterial strain as internal control for DNA extraction and PCR. The invention also relates to host cells (such as bacterial cells) and nucleic acids for use as internal standard in said method in addition to diagnostic kits comprising said host cells and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for identifying subjects, including canine subjects, as having an elevated risk of developing cancer or having an undiagnosed cancer. These subjects are identified based on the presence of germ-line risk markers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the TTC8 gene as a biomarker for the prognosis of a canine mammal developing progressive retinal atrophy. The invention also relates to in vitro methods of prognosing progressive retinal atrophy in a canine mammal by detecting a genetic variation within the TTC8 gene and to primers and prognostic kits for use in said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence or absence of a bacterial pathogen in a biological sample obtained from a human or animal subject, using an internal control. In particular, the invention relates to a method for detecting the presence or absence of Streptococcus equi in an equine sample using a control bacterial strain as internal control for DNA extraction and PCR. The invention also relates to host cells (such as bacterial cells) and nucleic acids for use as internal standard in said method in addition to diagnostic kits comprising said host cells and nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention provides Streptococcus vaccine strains (e.g. S. equi which is causative of ‘strangles’) comprising the following modifications in their genomes: (i) attenuation of one or more essential biosynthetic genes, (ii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a haemolytic toxin, or protein involved in the production thereof, plus preferably any one, two, or most preferably three of the following modifications: (iii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a protein responsible for immune evasion (iv) modification of one or more genes such as to permit serological discrimination of the vaccine strain based on analysis of a protein encoded by said genes, and (v) attenuation of one or more genes which encode an enzyme responsible for recombination repair of the genome. The invention provides inter alia live attenuated vaccine strains which generate an immune response to multiple protective epitopes presented in a context resembling the live pathogen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing the Hereditary cataract (HC) status of a canine mammal, which methods comprise use of an HSF4 marker to assess the status. Preferred canine mammals are dogs selected from the following breeds: Staffordshire bull terrier, Boston terrier, French bulldog, Mastiff, Bulldog, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Miniature bull terrier.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and materials concerning diseases caused by Streptococcus equi, and in particular relating to the detection of this pathogen by assessing the presence or absence of the S. equi eqbE gene sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides Streptococcus vaccine strains (e.g. S. equi which is causative of ‘strangles’) comprising the following modifications in their genomes: (i) attenuation of one or more essential biosynthetic genes, (ii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a haemolytic toxin, or protein involved in the production thereof, plus preferably any one, two, or most preferably three of the following modifications: (iii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a protein responsible for immune evasion (iv) modification of one or more genes such as to permit serological discrimination of the vaccine strain based on analysis of a protein encoded by said genes, and (v) attenuation of one or more genes which encode an enzyme responsible for recombination repair of the genome. The invention provides inter alia live attenuated vaccine strains which generate an immune response to multiple protective epitopes presented in a context resembling the live pathogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to herpesviruses genetic markers, and provides methods and materials for sub-typing, classifying, identifying or monitoring an Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) isolate, the method comprising use of genetic markers shown in Table 5 (preferably those shown in ORF68). In another aspect the invention provides methods and materials for assessing the virulence of herpesviruses comprising the use of genetic markers (e.g. within the herpesvirus DNA polymerase (ORF30 in EHV-1). In another aspect the invention provides vaccines based on the manipulation of the markers disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant DNA and polypeptides encoded thereby which have use in the provision of vaccines, diagnostic test kits and methods of diagnosis and treatment or prophylaxis for equine arteritis virus (EAV) and EAV mediated disease.