Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting HPV in a sample. This invention also provides related kits, systems, and computers.

Abstract: The invention provides a vector encoding a derivative of EBNA-1 that is not cytotoxic when expressed efficiently in cells, which supports extrachromosomal replication, maintenance and transcription from extrachromosomal oriP containing vectors but does not substantially activate transcription from host cell genes. Also provided is a vector having oriP and encoding a derivative of EBNA-1. The vectors of the invention may be employed in vitro and in gene therapy.

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 provides compositions for making a medicament and methods for the administration of a vaccine compositions for protection against human rotaviral disease without significant reactogenicity. Human x rhesus reassortant rotavirus compositions were made which when administered during the first 7 to about 10 days of life, provided a composition which was non-reactogenic followed by booster immunizations at 16 to 18 weeks or 14 to 20 weeks, up to 1 year of age. The immune response induced by the initial neonatal administration of the live rotavirus vaccine composition protects the infant from the reactogenicity of the composition when administered as a second vaccine dose at or after 2 months of age. Administration of the immunogenic composition also is expected to ablate or significantly diminish the increase in the excess of intussusception observed 3 to 7 days following administration of the initial dose of rotavirus vaccine at about 2 to 4 months.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses influenza vaccines, in particular canine influenza vaccines. The vaccine may be a recombinant poxvirus vaccine or an inactivated vaccine. The invention also encompasses recombinant poxvirus vectors encoding and expressing influenza antigens, epitopes or immunogens which can be used to protect animals, in particular dogs, against influenza.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for using EBV EBNA2 peptide epitopes to treat and/or prevent post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). The invention also provides compositions and articles of manufacture containing EBNA2 peptide epitopes that can be used to treat and/or prevent PTLD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of the active domain of Herpoxin, a DNA virus-inhibiting-protein which was isolated from cobra venom in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,339 and has a molecular weight of 13.5 kDa We have isolated a fragment of Herpoxin which contains the active domain and which we have named Herp. Herp mimics the activity of Herpoxin in inhibiting the replication of DNA viruses. A synthetic version of the active fragment was produced having the amino acid sequence Asn-Leu-Tyr-Gln-Phe-Lys-Asn-Met-Ile-Gln. The synthetic version of Herp consisting of ten amino acids inhibits the replication of DNA viruses such as herpes viruses types 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus and varicella zoster virus as well as Tubercle bacilli.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses influenza vaccines, in particular canine influenza vaccines. The vaccine may be a recombinant poxvirus vaccine or an inactivated vaccine. The invention also encompasses recombinant poxvirus vectors encoding and expressing influenza antigens, epitopes or immunogens which can be used to protect animals, in particular dogs, against influenza.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of a West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Dengue virus (DENV) and antibodies directed against thereof involving contacting a biological specimen suspected of being infected with WNV, JE, SLE or DEN with a substantially purified and isolated WNV E glycoprotein or subfragment thereof having a native conformation wherein the E glycoprotein or subfragment thereof has a reactivity with antibodies against WNV and a cross-reactivity with antibodies against JEV, SLEV and DENV. The instant invention further provides a rapid, sensitive, and consistent method for the specific detection of WNV by employing diagnostic assays having the antigen NS5 which is specifically reactive with anti-WNV antibodies but not cross-reactive with antibodies against other flaviviruses such as JEV, SLEV, or DENV.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying a target cell using a virus. The method includes infecting the target cell with the virus by contacting the virus to the target cell and culturing the target cell to propagate the virus; adding a chromogenic substrate to the resultant cell culture to induce enzyme reaction converting the chromogenic substrate to a chromogenic product; and measuring an optical signal emitted from the chromogenic product, wherein the virus contains in its genome a gene encoding an enzyme capable of converting the chromogenic substrate to the chromogenic product and a gene encoding a ligand allowing the virus to specifically bind with a receptor of the target cell to infect the target cell with the virus.

Abstract: Random sequence oligonucleotides that have antiviral activity are described, along with their use as antiviral agents. In many cases, the oligonucleotides are greater than 40 nucleotides in length. Also described are methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of a viral infection in a human or animal, and a method for the prophylaxis treatment of cancer caused by oncoviruses in a human or animal. The methods typically involve administering to a human or animal in need of such treatment, a pharmacologically acceptable, therapeutically effective amount of at least oligonucleotide that does not act by a sequence complementary mode of action.

Abstract: The present invention provides the isolated causative agent of the disease affecting Cyprinus carpino and a method for its isolation. The invention further provides avirulent forms, e.g., live-attenuated form, inactivated form and genetically modified forms of the virus which may be used for vaccination of susceptible fish.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of a West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Dengue virus (DENV) and antibodies directed against thereof involving contacting a biological specimen suspected of being infected with WNV, JE, SLE or DEN with a substantially purified and isolated WNV E glycoprotein or subfragment thereof having a native conformation wherein the E glycoprotein or subfragment thereof has a reactivity with antibodies against WNV and a cross-reactivity with antibodies against JEV, SLEV and DENV. The instant invention further provides a rapid, sensitive, and consistent method for the specific detection of WNV by employing diagnostic assays having the antigen NS5 which is specifically reactive with anti-WNV antibodies but not cross-reactive with antibodies against other flaviviruses such as JEV, SLEV, or DENV.

Abstract: The sent invention relates to a recombinant poxvirus vector capable of expressing two or more homologous, foreign sequences, which derive from different variants of a microorganism, and which have a homology of 50% or above. The invention further relates to a method for preparing such recombinant poxvirus and the use of such recombinant poxvirus as medicament or vaccine. Additionally, a method for affecting preferably inducing, an immune response in a living animal, including a human, is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 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 the process. The process offers the possibility to modify the NDV genome by means of genetic modification and allows for the introduction of mutations, deletions and/or insertions. The process can be used to modify the virulence of NDV, thus generating new attenuated live vaccines with enhanced properties. The process can be used to modify the antigenic make-up of NDV, to allow the generation of live NDV marker vaccines that can be serologically distinguished from NDV field strains.

Abstract: Transposon linker insertion mutagenesis of a full-length infectious clone of the highly pathogenic classical swine fever virus (CSFV) isolate Brescia (pBIC) was used to identify genetic determinants of CSFV virulence and host range. A virus mutant, RB-C22 (RB-C22v), possessing a 19-residue tag insertion at the carboxyl end of E1 was constructed. RB-C22v and the parental virus pBIC (pBICv) exhibited similar growth characteristics on primary porcine macrophage cell cultures although RB-C22v produced significantly smaller plaques on SK6 cell cultures. In vivo, RB-C22v was markedly attenuated in swine. In contrast with pBIC infection, where mortality was 100%, all RB-C22v-infected pigs survived infection remaining clinically normal. Additionally, chimeras of the Brescia strain and the attenuated vaccine strain CS were constructed and evaluated for viral virulence in swine. Chimeras 138.8v and 337.14v, chimeras containing the E2 glycoprotein of CS and chimeric virus 319.

Abstract: Unique Solenopsis invicta viruses (SINV) have been identified and their genome sequenced. Oligonucleotide primers have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the SINV. The viruses are used as a biocontrol agent for control of fire ants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon RNA useful in the development of stable lines of mammalian, avian and insect cells in which these replicons will persistently replicate. Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus replicons contain a number of unique adaptive mutations that make the replicons noncytopathic. The replicons remain resistant to IFN-?/?. Replicon replication leads to high-level production of heterologous proteins, which are encoded by the replicons' genome and are under the control of a viral subgenomic promoter. Also provided are methods of screening for inhibitory compounds of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replication and eastern equine encephalitis virus replication.

Abstract: This invention relates to Equine Herpes Viruses (EHV) wherein the protein gM is essentially absent or modified and non-functional with respect to its immunomodulatory capacity. Further aspects of the invention relate to nucleic acids coding said viruses, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these viruses or nucleic acids and uses thereof. The invention also relates to methods for improving the immune response induced by an EHV vaccine against wild type EHV infections, methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of EHV infections and methods for distinguishing wild type EHV infected animals from animals treated with EHV's according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preferred method for preventing and/or treating a virus infection in aquatic animals, including the steps of: (i) providing a composition including trichoanguin protein; (ii) adding the composition to an aqueous solution including aquatic animals; and (iii) exposing the aquatic animals to the composition; wherein the composition is added in an amount effective to prevent and/or treat the virus infection. Preferably, the trichoanguin protein is provided by a transgenic plant.