Abstract: Disclosed is a method for exact identification of the attenuated varicella virus Oka strain or a strain derived therefrom capable of functioning as an attenuated varicella live vaccine virus, which comprises analyzing the difference in the genomic DNA and fragments thereof between the Oka strain and a sample varicella strain, and determining whether or not a sample strain satisfies all of the following eight characteristics: the sizes of the HpaI-K fragment and the EcoRI-P fragment; the size of R2-487 region of Gene14 and the analysis by PCR-SSCP; the sizes of the restriction fragments obtained by digesting the R2-1764 fragment with AccIII; the absence or presence of a PstI cleavage site; the homology of the amino acid sequences coded by R2-487 coding region; and the homology of the amino acid sequences coded by the coding region of VZV Gene14. The method of the present invention is extremely useful for the quality control and quality assurance of attenuated varicella live vaccines.

Abstract: A stabilized live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, wherein the vaccine is substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions is described. This stabilized live vaccine is excellent in storage stability and heat resistance. Also described is an improved stabilizer for a live varicella vaccine, comprising at least gelatin or hydrolyzed gelatin, each being substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. The stabilizer can advantageously be used to stabilize a live vaccine containing a varicella virus. The substantial freedom of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions can be attained by masking Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions present in a live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, with a chelating reagent, or by using as a stabilizer gelatin and/or a gelatin derivative after being purified to remove Ca.sup.2+ ions and/or Mg.sup.2+ ions contained therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilized live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, wherein the vaccine is substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. This stabilized live vaccine is extremely excellent in storage stability and heat resistance. Also disclosed is an improved stabilizer for a live varicella vaccine, comprising at least one member selected from gelatin and hydrolyzed gelatin, each being substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. The stabilizer can advantageously be used to stabilize a live vaccine containing a varicella virus. The substantial freedom of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions can be attained by masking Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions present in a live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, with a chelating reagent, or by using as a stabilizer gelatin and/or a gelatin derivative after being purified to remove Ca.sup.2+ ions and/or Mg.sup.2+ ions contained therein.

Abstract: There is disclosed an antigen comprising an amino acid sequence of the suce antigen of a hepatitis B virus. The present antigen can be produced easily and safely at low cost by means of recombinant DNA technique. The present antigen can be used as an effective vaccine and diagnostic for hepatitis B.

Abstract: There is provided a recombinant Marek's disease virus comprising the genomic DNA of an attenuated Marek's disease virus and a foreign gene from another source. The present recombinant virus can advantageously be used as an active ingredient for a multifunctional live vaccine, exhibiting not only the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the Marek's disease virus but also the properties ascribed to the foreign gene. Since the suitable host cell for the recombinant virus of the present invention is an avian cell which is available in a large quantity and not expensive, the recombinant virus of the present invention can be produced efficiently at low cost on a commercial scale.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for culturing Bordetella pertussis in the presence of a cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. The present method is useful for obtaining a mixed antigen comprising pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in a large amount at low cost. From the antigen, there can be obtained a stable and effective pertussis toxoid to be used for a pertussis vaccine. There is also disclosed a vaccine comprising the pertussis toxoid as an active ingredient and a gelatin and/or gelatin derivatives as a stabilizing agent. The present vaccine is extremely stable and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for culturing Bordetella pertussis in the prece of a cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. The present method is useful for obtaining a mixed antigen comprising pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in a large amount at low cost. From the antigen, there can be obtained a stable and effective pertussis toxoid to be used for a pertussis vaccine. There is also disclosed a vaccine comprising the pertussis toxoid as an active ingredient and a gelatin and/or gelatin derivatives as a stabilizing agent. The present vaccine is extremely stable and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.