Abstract: A polyvalent vaccine for chicken coccidium-herpesvirus infections comprising as an active ingredient a recombinant herpesvirus comprising a gene encoding SEQ ID NO: 5 which is a microneme protein of a chicken coccidium protozoa or a gene in which part thereof has been substituted, deleted, or added. By administering said polyvalent vaccine into the egg, subcutaneously or intramuscularly, coccidium infections and herpesvirus infections can be prevented.

Abstract: Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes abortion and respiratory infection in horses. Only certain strains of EHV-1 cause encephalitis. Vaccination of horses with live attenuated or inactivated vaccines against EHV-1 is commonly practiced using commercial vaccine products. None of those vaccines have been tested for protection of horses against neurologic manifestation caused by EHV-1. Clinical evidence indicates that horses vaccinated with the commercial vaccines were protected against the respiratory diseases caused by EHV-1. However, the vaccinated horses were not protected against neurological disease. In this invention, we describe the development of a new inactivated EHV-1 vaccine. The new vaccine will protect vaccinated horses against neurological disease as well as respiratory disease and abortion caused by EHV-1. The vaccine will use a newly isolated Findlay strain of EHV-1 as the master seed virus.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection is further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: A vaccine against disease caused by papilloma viruses is described in certain embodiments, as well as certain vectors, obtainable by the following methods: (a) one or more expression vectors that contain the DNA code for a structural protein of papilloma viruses or a fragment thereof are injected into mammals, whereby in at least some of the expression vectors randomly generated heterologous sequences are inserted into the DNA code (b) serums are obtained from the mammals and these are tested for the presence of antibodies against particles of various papilloma virus types, and (c) using the serums tested, the structural protein gene clones are identified that code for a polyvalent vaccine, and (d) the vaccine is produced from them. Procedures for producing a vaccine is also described, together with its use for vaccination against diseases caused by papilloma viruses.

Abstract: Superior molecular vaccines comprise nucleic acids, including naked DNA and replicon RNA, that encode a fusion polypeptide that includes an antigenic peptide or polypeptide against which an immune response is desired. Fused to the antigenic peptide is an intercellular spreading protein, in particular a herpes virus protein VP22 or a homologue or functional derivative thereof. Preferred spreading proteins are VP22 from HSV-1 and Marek's disease virus. The nucleic acid can encode any antigenic epitope of interest, preferably an epitope that is processed and presented by MHC class I proteins. Antigens of pathogenic organisms and cells such as tumor cells are preferred. Vaccines comprising HPV-16 E7 oncoprotein are exemplified. Also disclosed are methods of using the vaccines to induce heightened T cell mediated immunity, in particular by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to protection from or treatment of a tumor.

Abstract: An isolated protein sequence or peptide from the E2, E6 or E7 early coding region of human papillomavirus (HPV) that is soluble in an aqueous medium, and characterized by a relative paucity of tryptophan, methionine and cysteine residues, and a relative abundance of glycine and asparagine residues. Also disclosed are isolated protein sequences or peptides from the E2, E6 or E7 early coding regions of HPV 16 and 18 and methodologies for detecting or diagnosing cancer or cellular abnormalities. Detection or diagnosis of Cancer or cellular abnormalities may include detecting or diagnosing pre-cancerous or pre-malignant conditions, cervical dysplasia, cervical carcinoma, koilocytosis, hyperkeratosis, intraepithelial lesions, and other cancers.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of preparing a cervical sample for medical examination in which a papanicolaou stained sample is additionally stained with a label targeted to one or more high risk cancer markers to allow for optical detection of the human papilloma virus. That optical detection can be combined with morphometric detection of abnormal cells, which may be improved by multispectral imaging using an acousto-optic tunable filter. Several variations of screening methods and an apparatus for performing the methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel avian herpesvirus (NAHV) vector and recombinant vaccines made therefrom that are useful to immunize avian species against Marek's disease, infectious laryngotracheitis and Newcastle disease. Methods of immunizing an avian species against Marek's disease, infectious laryngotracheitis and Newcastle disease are also provided.

Abstract: An isolated sequence or peptide isolated from an E2, E4, E6, E7 early or late coding region of human papillomavirus (HPV) that is soluble in aqueous medium, and characterized by a linkage to another protein sequence or peptide isolated from the E2, E4, E6, E7 early or late coding region of HPV by a spacer sequence, wherein the isolated protein sequence or peptide consists of more than 50% hydrophilic amino acids, and is recognized by a specific antibody of HPV. Also disclosed are isolated protein sequences or peptides from Harvey Ras (H-Ras), Kirsten Ras (K-Ras), and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) tumor suppressor proteins and Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein 60 (CHSP60 groEL1) and methods for detecting or diagnosing cancer or cellular abnormalities.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic or vaccine composition inducing an immune response towards the HPV-16 Papillomavirus native E7 protein, without simultaneously inducing an immunosuppression, said composition comprising, as the active ingredient, a non immunosuppressive mutated E7 protein, comprising the amino acid sequence consisting, from the N-terminal end to the C-terminal end, in: i. the 1-19 amino acid sequence of sequence SEQ ID No. 3; ii. an amino acid sequence possessing (a) the substitution of at least one amino acid, compared to the 20-29 corresponding amino acid sequence of sequence SEQ ID No. 3 or (b) the deletion of at least four consecutive amino acids, compared to the 20-29 corresponding amino acid sequence of sequence SEQ ID No. 3; and iii. the 30-98 amino acid sequence of sequence SEQ ID No 3.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigen delivery compositions and methods of using same to prevent or to treat cancers and other infectious diseases.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: Polyepitopic peptides of E6 and E7 proteins of Human Papillomavirus, their production, and methods of treating pathologies in which a polyepitopic peptide of the E6 and E7 protein of Human Papillomavirus is recognized by the cellular immune system.

Abstract: Provided is an animal model system for the study of papillomaviruses, especially anogenital papillomaviruses, especially those causing anogenital and/or head and neck cancers. The Rhesus papillomavirus (especially RhPV1) is a useful model for human papillomaviruses which cause anogenital infections and cancers of the anogenital region and/or the head, neck and respiratory system.

Abstract: Novel acetone- or alcohol-fixed viral capsid proteins, bacteria-containing, and papillomavirus L1-GST fusion proteins are described. These proteins are useful in vaccine preparation and as diagnostics.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV31 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are free from internal transcription termination signals that are recognized by yeast. Also provided are synthetic polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 wherein the polynucleotides have been codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV31 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV31 VLPs.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically engineered cell lines, recombinant vectors, and vaccines. The present invention also provides methods for generating an in vitro system for Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and the in vitro systems generated by these methods. The present invention further provides methods for reactivating VZV, and VZV reactivated by these methods. Finally, the present invention provides a method of screening for an agent for treating VZV infection.

Abstract: Infectious cDNA clones of North American Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) are provided. Further provided are cDNA clones comprising genetic mutations. Also provided are vaccines comprising cDNAs, including genetically and immunologically marked vaccines for North American PRRSV.

Abstract: A source of viral induced obesity has been discovered. A virus known as AD-36P adenovirus type 36 has been found to be associated with obesity in both animals and humans. Diagnostic DNA sequences are presented so that DNA based tests for the presence of the obesity associated virus can be conducted.