Abstract: Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realised that the conditions used for influenza virus culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.

Abstract: Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realized that the conditions used for influenza virus 5 culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.

Abstract: Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realised that the conditions used for influenza virus culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.

Abstract: An influenza vaccine that lacks at least three of a mercurial preservative; an antibiotic; formaldehyde; and egg-derived materials. In some embodiments, the vaccine includes none of these four components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine products for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. Further provided are methods of reducing contaminants associated with the preparation of cell culture vaccines. Residual functional cell culture DNA is degraded by treatment with a DNA alkylating agent, such as ?-propiolactone (BPL), thereby providing a vaccine comprising immunogenic proteins derived from a virus propagated on cell culture, substantially free of residual functional cell culture DNA.

Abstract: Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realised that the conditions used for influenza virus 5 culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in diagnosing SLE. For example, this document provides arrays for detecting polypeptides that can be used to diagnose SLE in a mammal. In addition, methods and materials for assessing SLE activity, determining the likelihood of experiencing active SLE, and detecting SLE treatment effectiveness are provided herein.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in diagnosing SLE. For example, this document relates to methods and materials involved in diagnosing SLE, diagnosing severe SLE, and assessing a mammal's susceptibility to develop severe SLE. For example, this document provides nucleic acid arrays that can be used to diagnose SLE in a mammal. Such arrays can allow clinicians to diagnose SLE based on a simultaneous determination of the expression levels of many genes that are differentially expressed in SLE patients as compared to healthy controls. In addition, methods and materials for assessing SLE activity, determining the likelihood of experiencing active SLE, and detecting SLE treatment effectiveness are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for multiplication of viruses in cell culture in which cells are infected with a virus and after infection the cells are cultured in cell culture under conditions that permit multiplication of the viruses and at the same time targeted additional, at least two-fold, multiplication of the cells. The invention also concerns the use of the viruses so obtained or proteins expressed by them for production of drugs and diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for production of an active ingredient of a drug or diagnostic agent, in which (a) MDCK cells are infected with a virus; and (b) the MDCK cells are cultured in suspension culture on a commercial scale under conditions that permit multiplication of the viruses; in which culturing occurs in a volume of at least 30 L. The invention also concerns a method for production of a drug or diagnostic agent in which an active ingredient is produced according to the above method and mixed with an appropriate adjuvant, auxiliary, buffer, diluent or drug carrier.