Abstract: A process for producing isolated and purified respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins in eukaryotic cell cultures infected with RSV cold-passaged, temperature-sensitive mutant subgroup A2 strain cpts-248/404 results in at least a 5-fold increase in F and G protein yields when compared with the parent A2 strain. Immunogenic compositions comprising the F and/or G protein(s) produced by this process can be formulated for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by RSV.

Abstract: Live, attenuated, phenotypically stable HSV-2 viruses and methods of making and using the virus are provided. Live, attenuated HSV-2 viruses are constructed using recombinant techniques and can be used in a pharmaceutical composition for prophylactic treatment of HSV-2 infections and for treatment of recurrent HSV-2 related diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of vaccination of an animal of the felidae family against feline leukemia. The FeLV recombinant vaccine based on viral vector with the aid of a liquid jet needle-free injector can result in distribution of the vaccine essentially in the dermis and the hypodermis of the animal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an SRSV detection kit comprising all antibodies against SRSV-related virus constituting peptides selected from the following peptide groups (a) to (k), respectively: (a) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and the like, (b) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, and the like, (c) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3, and the like, (d) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 4, and the like, (e) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 5, and the like, (f) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 6, and the like, (g) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 7, and the like, (h) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8, and the like, (i) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9, and the like, (j) a peptide having an amino acid sequence repre

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of PRRSV antibodies and antibody fragments using polypeptides.

Abstract: Attenuated pestiviruses, in particular attenuated BVDV, wherein at least one mutation is in the coding sequence for glycoprotein Erns and at least another mutation in the coding sequence for Npro which preferably leads to combined inactivation of the RNase activity residing in glycoprotein Erns in addition to the inactivation of the (hypothesized) immunomodulating activity residing in Npro. Methods for attenuating pestiviruses such as BVDV, nucleic acids encoding the pestiviruses, in particular BVDV, compositions and vaccines comprising the attenuated pestiviruses, in particular BVDV, of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more antigens of a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV) and methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection utilizing said compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with WNV infection, said methods comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of one or more humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen. The present invention also relates to detectable or diagnostic compositions comprising humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen and methods for detecting or diagnosing WNV infection utilizing said compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly processive reverse transcriptase having DNA polymerase activity and substantially reduced protease activity. More specifically, the invention relates to an isolated reverse transcriptase from foamy virus comprising a substantially inactivated protease. The invention also relates to vectors containing the gene and hosts transformed with the vector of the invention. Further, the invention relates to a method for producing reverse transcriptase having DNA polymerase activity and substantially reduced protease activity by expressing the reverse transcriptase genes of the present invention in a recombinant host. Methods are also provided for producing cDNA from polynucleotides using the highly processive reverse transcriptase of the invention. Kits for the preparation of cDNA from RNA comprising the highly processive reverse transcriptase of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing a disease, disorder or condition associated with a viral infection using a dosing and resting regimen for administering a pharmaceutical composition that provides ARP.

Abstract: The invention relates to the process for generating infectious Newcastle disease virus (NDV) entirely from cloned full-length cDNA and to the use of vaccines and diagnostic assays generated with and derived from said process. The process offers the possibility to modify the NDV genome by means of genetic modification and allows the introduction of mutations, deletions and/or insertions. The process can be used to modify the virulence of NDV, thereby generating new attenuated live vaccines with enhanced properties. The process can be used to modify the antigenic make-up of NDV, thus allowing the generation of live NDV marker vaccines which can be serologically distinguished from NDV field strains.

Abstract: The present invention provides variants of cyanovirin-N and water-soluble polymer conjugates thereof, and methods of preparing such conjugates. The cyanovirin-N of the invention are particularly suited for site-selective covalent attachment of one or more water soluble polymers, to provide polymer conjugates of cyanovirin-N variants exhibiting antiviral activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated mammalian negative strand RNA virus, metapneumovirus (MPV), within the sub-family Pneumoviridae , of the family Paramyxoviridae . The invention also provides isolated mammalian negative strand RNA viruses identifiable as phylogenetically corresponding or relating to the genus Metapneumovirus and components thereof. In particular the invention provides a mammalian MPV, subgroups and variants thereof. The invention relates to genomic nucleotide sequences of different isolates of mammalian metapneumoviruses, in particular human metapneumoviruses. The invention relates to the use of the sequence information of different isolates of mammalian metapneumoviruses for diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding the genome of a metapneumovirus or a portion thereof, including both mammalian and avian metapneumovirus. The invention further encompasses chimeric or recombinant viruses encoded by said nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more antigens of a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), and methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), infection utilizing said compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with WNV infection, said methods comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen. The present invention also relates to detectable or diagnostic compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen and methods for detecting or diagnosing WNV infection utilizing said compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of detecting a virus in an avian tissue sample wherein genetic material derived from feathers is tested for the presence of genetic material from the virus.

Abstract: Cleavage site for the protease furin is inserted between domains of a membrane glycoprotein. Upon cleavage by furin in the trans-Golgi network, the protein is separated into individual membrane-free domain that retains its native conformation. This protocol can be used to produce virus membrane protein domains for structural analysis and for trials as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vectors, to DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the vectors, to methods for the preparation of the vectors and DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the vectors, and to therapeutic uses of the vectors. The novel vectors comprise (a) an expression cassette of a gene of a nuclear-anchoring protein, which contains (i) a DNA binding domain capable of binding to a specific DNA sequence and (ii) a functional domain capable of binding to a nuclear component and (b) a multimerized DNA sequence forming a binding site for the anchoring protein, and optionally (c) one or more expression cassettes of a DNA sequence of interest. The vectors lack a papilloma virus origin of replication.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to methods for treating a subject suffering from or susceptible to an autoimmune disease or disorder, or a disease or disorder having an autoimmune component, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of cyclophilin or a biologically active fragment thereof.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel polynucleotides, and related vectors, host cells, methods, and compositions, containing transcriptional enhancers providing very high levels of expression of operably-linked expressible nucleic acid sequences in eukaryotic cells. Advantageously the enhancers may be used in combination with their naturally-associated promoters and/or other genetic elements that increase transcription. The invention comprises eukaryotic expression vectors that are capable of providing increased levels of expression in many cell types over that obtainable from human or murine CMV IE enhancer/promoter elements.

Abstract: A method of reversing a clinical episode of a disease which is generally considered incurable in a subject. The method includes providing an immune-globulin preparation containing a detectable titre of antibodies to the disease which is generally considered incurable and administering the immune-globulin preparation to the subject. Preferably, the immune globulin preparation is a pool of immune globulin fractions gathered from blood of donors living in an area where the disease is endemic. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture suited for use in practice of the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to sequences of a novel variant of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to methods for detecting, in patient samples, nucleic acids, antigens and antibodies directed against the same.