Abstract: The present invention relates to multivalent recombinant raccoon poxviruses, containing more than one exogenous gene inserted into either the thymidine kinase gene, the hemagglutinin gene, or a combination thereof. Disclosed is the use of the multivalent recombinant raccoon poxviruses as vaccines to immunize felines against subsequent challenge by feline pathogens. Also disclosed is a method of making a multivalent recombinant raccoon poxvirus by a recombination process involving the construction of an insertion vector into which the exogenous genes are inserted, and flanking the inserted genes are sequences which can recombine into the raccoon poxvirus thymidine kinase gene, or the hemagglutinin gene, or a combination thereof; introducing both the insertion vector containing the exogenous genes, and raccoon poxvirus into susceptible host cells; and selecting the recombinant raccoon poxvirus from the resultant plaques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multivalent recombinant raccoon poxviruses, containing more than one exogenous gene inserted into either the thymidine kinase gene, the hemagglutinin gene, or a combination thereof. Disclosed is the use of the multivalent recombinant raccoon poxviruses as vaccines to immunize felines against subsequent challenge by feline pathogens. Also disclosed is a method of making a a multivalent recombinant raccoon poxvirus by a recombination process involving the construction of an insertion vector into which the exogenous genes are inserted, and flanking the inserted genes are sequences which can recombine into the raccoon poxvirus thymidine kinase gene, or the hemagglutinin gene, or a combination thereof; introducing both the insertion vector containing the exogenous genes, and raccoon poxvirus into susceptible host cells; and selecting the recombinant raccoon poxvirus from the resultant plaques.

Abstract: A plasmid vector has been constructed for producing unique vaccinia virus recombinant expressing the gene for rabiesvirus glycoprotein in cells. The recombinant induces production of glycoprotein in substantial amounts for immunization against rabies. Such recombinant could be applied for the production of anti-rabies vaccine and of G antigen antibody and related immunological reagents for research or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Raccoon poxvirus, an organism that may be indigenous in nature, is established as a suitable substrate for insertion and expression of nucleotide coding sequence of heterolgous organisms. Two infectious raccoon poxvirus recombinants for expressing rabies virus surface spike glycoprotein (G) were produced by homologous recombination between raccoon poxvirus DNA and chimeric plasmids previously used for production of vaccinia virus recombinants by thymidine kinase insertional inactivation. Raccoons that were fed polyurethane baits loaded with raccoon poxvirus recombinant quickly developed high levels of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies and were protected when challenged with an otherwise lethal dose of raccoon rabies street virus. Dogs developed rabies virus neutralizing antibodies after feeding a vectored raccoon poxvirus recombinant in contrast to feeding a vaccinia: G recombinant that induced no rabies neutralizing antibodies.