Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising (avian pandemic) influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

Abstract: A plant-derived vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is disclosed. The vaccine includes an immunogenic complex that includes plant cells transformed with a chimeric gene containing a nucleotide sequence adapted for protein expression in plants and an RSV coding sequence that encodes an antigenic protein of RSV. Also disclosed are methods of making the plant-derived vaccine of the invention, as well as transgenic plants, transgenic plant cells, and nucleic acid constructs useful in immunizing a mammal against RSV.

Abstract: The invention provides viral vectors (e.g., herpes viral vectors) and methods of using these vectors to treat disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel human anti-influenza antibodies and related compositions and methods. These antibodies are used in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza infection.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric flavivirus vaccines against West Nile virus and methods of using these vaccines to prevent or treat West Nile virus infection.

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 provides a method for diagnosing a subject suffering a pathological condition characterized by parvovirus infection by detecting the presence of IgE anti-Parvovirus B 19 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine for use in the protection of poultry against infectious bronchitis comprising an attenuated infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent, characterized in that the attenuated IBV comprises a heterologous spike gene. Such a vaccine is based on IBV strain Beaudette that is able to express a spike gone derived from a different IBV strain. The vaccines provided by the present invention also allow the administration via the in ovo route.

Abstract: A method of immunologically examining a specimen which comprises attaching a cap having a filter impregnated with a labeled antibody enclosed therein to a container body containing a diluted liquid specimen, pouring the diluted liquid specimen from the container into a test device, observing the reaction and thus examining the presence or absence of an analyte in the specimen. This examination method, whereby effects of differences among individual operators can be minimized and the occurrence of a nonspecific reaction can be prevented, is highly excellent in the reproducibility of the examination results and storage stability of a test reagent. A specimen container to be used in the above method to which a cap having a filter impregnated with a labeled antibody enclosed therein is attached. This container is appropriately usable as a member constituting a simplified diagnosis kit.

Abstract: A DNA virus in a sample is detected by contacting the sample with host cells that have been transiently transfected with a reporter sequence under the control of a virus-specific promoter, and then detecting the reporter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for replicating pox viruses such as vaccinia virus comprising the steps of inoculating avian embryonic stem cells with viral particles and culturing said cells in a basal medium until cells lysis occurs and newly produced viral particles are released in said medium.

Abstract: Cells and cell lines which replicate HCV of non-hepatic human and non human origin are disclosed. Also provided are methods of using such cells and cell lines to identify anti-HCV agents for the treatment of HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for reducing viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal and other parasitic contamination from a biological solution. Biological solutions include, but are not limited to, solutions comprising blood, a blood component, cell culture or a component of a cell culture. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, a method of inactivating a pathogen in blood or blood product in a container, comprising contacting at least one of said blood, blood product and container with a composition of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, a medical device comprising at least a surface treated with an anti-pathogenic composition of the present invention or containing at least an anti-pathogenic composition of present invention.

Abstract: Described is a method for isolating Hepatitis C Virus peptides (HPs) which have a binding capacity to a MHC/HLA molecule or a complex comprising said HCV-peptide and said MHC/HLA molecule characterized by the following steps: —providing a pool of HCV-peptide, said pool containing HCV-peptides which bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and HCV-peptides which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule, —contacting said MHC/HLA molecule with said pool of HCV-peptides whereby a HCV-peptide which has a binding capacity to said MHC/HLA molecule binds to said MHC/HLA molecule and a complex comprising said HCV-peptide and said MHC/HLA molecule is formed, —detecting and optionally separating said complex from the HCV-peptide which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and optionally isolating and characterizing the HCV-peptide from said complex.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for screening compounds against Flavivirus. More specifically, this invention provides a method for screening compounds against Flaviviruses by using a persistent virus-infected cell system, including (a) establishment of persistent virus-infected cell lines, (b) preparation of monoclonal antibody by using said persistent virus-infected cell lines, (c) incubation of tested compounds with said persistent virus-infected cell lines, (d) determination of the inhibition effect of tested compounds or vaccines on Flavivirus by sandwich ELISA using said monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of peptides exhibiting high affinity and specificity for the viral protein gp120, to methods for producing these peptides, and to the use of these peptides.

Abstract: Sequences of nucleic acid oligonucleotides for amplifying different portions of gag and pol genes of HIV-1 and for detecting such amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Methods of amplifying and detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid in a biological sample using the amplification oligonucleotides specific for gag and pol target sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, with increased stability in the presence of bacterial or viral suspensions, especially those concentrated and non-purified or weakly purified. The emulsion of the present invention can act as vehicle for the delivery of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one immunogen and, in particular, an immunogen selected from the group comprising an inactivated pathogen, an attenuated pathogen, a subunit, a recombinant expression vector, and a plasmid or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions useful in diagnosing and treating hepatic disorders, especially those characterized by inflammation. The method comprises administration of an agent which prevents the interaction of MAdCAM with a MAdCAM binding partner or ligand. These compositions are useful in treating diseases or disorders involving ?4?7/MAdCAM blockade, as well as inhibiting a primary event in the inflammatory response such as blocking interactions between intercellular adhesion molecules and their ligands. Disorders treatable using the methods disclosed herein include infections, especially viral infections, iatrogenic disorders, cholestatic disorders, hereditary disorders, sarcoidosis, organ transplant, and the like. The diagnostic methods of the invention can be employed to detect the presence of a disorder or to monitor the course of therapy used to treat the disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid virus entry/binding detection assay. An enzyme such as luciferase was incorporated at the C-terminal end of viral envelope proteins of the HIV Nef protein that would specifically associate with cell membranes to deliver the enzyme into viral particles upon viral assembly. Virus entry/binding can then be assayed by determining the enzymatic activities in infected cells. The assay allows high-throughput non-radioactive detection of virus entry within 30 minutes after virus-cell contact. This assay provides high signal to noise ratio and is useful for screening compounds that affect virus-cell binding and entry. The design also permits packaging of potential therapeutic proteins into functional virus particles and delivering them to specific cellular targets.