Abstract: Compounds, which inhibit the binding of gp120 to CD4 as well as 17b and methods for their use in inhibiting the HIV fusion process, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ancestral and COT nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, methods for producing such sequences and uses thereof, including prophylactic and diagnostic uses.

Abstract: Chimpanzee monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments including a ?1-chain CDR3 region that bind hepatitis A virus (HAV) antigen are disclosed herein. The antibodies neutralize HAV. Also disclosed are methods for using these antibodies and antigen binding fragments in the detection of hepatitis A virus, the inhibition of infection of a subject with hepatitis A virus, and in screening for agents that affect HAV.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the methods and compositions related to pseudotyped viral vectors. Embodiments of the invention include pseudotyping expression cassettes that include nucleic acid elements for enhancing the titer of pseudotyped viral particles. Embodiments of the invention include novel methods and compositions related to making high titer pseudotyped retroviral vector compositions. A heterologous envelope glycoprotein is typically incorporated into the virus during the budding or virus production process. Certain embodiments of the invention include pseudotyped retroviral vectors comprising a heterologous envelope glycoprotein derived from a Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV env). Pseudotyped viruses or viral particles may have a modified host range that is influenced by the properties of the heterologous envelope glycoprotein.

Abstract: The present invention provides new uses of recombinant adenoviral vectors in vaccination regimens, such as prime/boost set-ups and subsequent vaccinations and applications for gene therapy. Moreover, the invention provides new assays to determine the best regimen for applying the most suitable recombinant viral vector in a vaccination or gene therapy setting.

Abstract: Assays to identify Vpr/AIF interaction and translocation inhibitors are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel isolated avian hepatitis E virus having a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or its complementary strand. The invention further concerns immunogenic compositions comprising this new virus or recombinant products such as the nucleic acid and vaccines that protect an avian or mammalian species from viral infection or hepatitis-splenomegaly syndrome caused by the hepatitis E virus. Also included in the scope of the invention is a method for propagating, inactivating or attenuating a hepatitis E virus comprising inoculating an embryonated chicken egg with a live, pathogenic hepatitis E virus and recovering the virus or serially passing the pathogenic virus through additional embryonated chicken eggs until the virus is rendered inactivated or attenuated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined vaccine that includes hepatitis B vaccine (HeVac) and Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for intracutaneous injection and the method of preparation of such vaccine. The combined vaccine changes the now used liquid agent of the HeVac into a cryoprotectant, thus improving the heat stability of the HBsAg. Because of the cryoprotectant in the combined vaccine, the heat stability of the HBsAg is improved, and the efficacy of the vaccine is only slightly decreased after 30 days at 37° C., and the decrease is lower than with the liquid agent of the HeVac. The present invention changes the newborn's inoculation from two injections into one to simultaneously obtain prophylaxis of hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

Abstract: A preparation of peptides eluted from class II HLA molecules is disclosed. Methods of decreasing measles infections comprising inoculating human patients with a vaccine comprising one or more of the peptides and methods of diagnosing measles infections or immunity comprising analyzing human patients for the presence of one or more of the peptides or antibodies to the peptide(s) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Reagents, methods and immunodiagnostic test kits for the accurate detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are disclosed. The methods and kits employ novel rabbit monoclonal antibodies directed against HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) with mutations in the “a” determinant region of HBsAg.

Abstract: Compounds, which inhibit the binding of gp120 to CD4 as well as 17b and methods for their use in inhibiting the HIV fusion process, are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of coronaviruses and diagnosis, therapeutic use, and vaccines derived therefrom. The invention provides replicative coronaviruses and virus-like particles (VLPs) from which large parts of their genome are (at least functionally) deleted without abolishing their replicative capacities. The deletion preferably results in at least a functional deletion in that the corresponding gene is not or is only partly expressed wherein the resulting gene product is dysfunctional or at least functionally distinct from a corresponding wild-type gene product.

Abstract: The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of a novel human coronavirus, coined as coronavirus-HKU1 (“CoV-HKU1”), isolated in Hong Kong from a patient who had a recent history of visit to Schenzhen, China. The virus belongs to the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviridae, being a single-stranded RNA virus of positive polarity. The invention also provides the deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of the CoV-HKU1. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1 are useful in preventing, diagnosing and/or treating the infection by CoV-HKU1. Furthermore, the invention provides immunogenic and vaccine preparations using recombinant and chimeric forms as well as subunits of the CoV-HKU1 based on the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1.

Abstract: A method of disinfection of livestock is provided. The method comprises administering at least one bacteriophage in an effective amount to said livestock to reduce the number of Campylobacter spp present in the gastro-intestinal tract of said livestock. The bacteriophage are selected from CP8 (NCIMB Accession No. 41184) and CP34 (NCIMB Accession No. 41185).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for immobilization and optional stabilization of viruses whilst retaining the viral biological activity and the use of immobilized virus in therapy. In particular, the immobilized virus relates to immobilized bacteriophage and their use as an antibiotic or bacteriostatic agent and in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Abstract: The invention describes HIV-1 subtype isolate regulatory/accessory genes, and modifications and derivatives thereof. The genes which are described are the tat, nef and rev genes. Consensus amino acid sequences are also disclosed. The invention also relates to a vaccine including two or more of the nucleotide sequences, and nucleotide sequences from the pol and/or gag genes of HIV-1.

Abstract: Stable water soluble polypeptides which are potent inhibitors of endothelial cell proliferation and of angiogenesis. Polypeptide inhibitors of endothelial cell growth may have important uses in the elucidation of the mechanism of angiogenesis, disease diagnosis and prognostication, and drug therapies for use in animals and humans.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting a pre-disposition of HBV-infected individuals to develop hepatacellular carcinoma (HCC).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for detecting the presence of an enterovirus in a clinical sample. The invention additionally discloses a method for typing an enterovirus in a clinical sample. Both methods employ a set of primer oligonucleotides for reverse transcription and amplification that hybridize to conserved regions of the enterovirus genome, and that provide amplicons that include significant portions of the VP1 region that are characteristic of the various serotypes. In the typing method, the invention further provides a database consisting of nucleotide sequences from prototypical enteroviral serotypes, which is used to type the clinical sample by comparing the sequence of its amplicon with each prototypical sequence in the database. The invention additionally provides mixtures of primer oligonucleotides, and a kit for use in conducting the typing method that includes a mixture of the primer oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to agents and in particular nucleoside analogues. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside analogues. The variants may also comprise corresponding mutations affecting immunological interactivity to viral surface components. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular hepatitis B virus variants. The present invention also contemplates the use of the viral variants to screen for agents capable of inhibiting infection, replication and/or release of the virus.