Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV cote antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of animal health and in particular the causative agent of a new bacterial poultry disease, Pasteurella trehalosi and/or Mannheimia haemolytica. The invention provides said Pasteurella trehalosi and/or Mannheimia haemolytica bacteria, vaccine comprising inactivated Pasteurella trehalosi and/or Mannheimia haemolytica, and a method of immunizing to prevent disease in poultry.

Abstract: Vaccines containing adjuvant comprising eleutherosides and related compounds are shown to be useful for the prevention of viral infections, bacterial infections and parasitic infections. The adjuvant compounds have been shown to modulate the expression of a wide variety or proteins involved in the immune response and inflammatory response. Exemplary eleutherosides and related compounds include eleutheroside A, eleutheroside B, eleutheroside C, eleutheroside D, eleutheroside E, eleutheroside F, and eleutheroside G, coniferylaldehyde, caffeic acid ethyl ester, chlorogenic acid, sinapinalcohol, isofraxidin, syringaresinol and 6,8-dimethoxy-7-hydroxycoumarin.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array. The invention also provides a process for producing an antigen or antigenic determinant in an ordered and repetitive array. The ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant is useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of infectious diseases, the treatment of allergies and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure cancer and to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses, in particular antibody responses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to immunogenic conjugates comprised of a polymer, preferably a polysaccharide, with a covalently attached antigen and an agent for boosting a patient's immune response. The conjugates may be used in vaccines for a wide range of diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating a wart in a subject by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an immunostimulatory fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus or an antigenic fragment thereof. Also disclosed is a method of treating a human papilloma virus infection in a subject infected or suspected of being infected with a human papilloma virus of a first type by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an antigenic fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus of a second type or an antigenic fragment thereof, where the first type and second type are different.

Abstract: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex, shipping fever, or pneumomic pasteurellosis, is a multifactorial disease whereby a combination of viral infection, adverse environment and poor immune status may combine to predispose animals to bacterial infections. The exotoxin, or leukotoxin (Lkt), may contribute to pathogenesis by impairing the primary lung defenses and subsequent immune responses or by causing inflammations as a result of leukocyte lysis. The present invention provides a modified microorganism which produces an Lkt toxin, wherein said Lkt toxin is partially or fully inactivated. In a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a modified microorganism wherein an Lkt toxin operon including an Lkt structural gene and/or a post transational activator of the organism is partially or fully inactivated. The present applicants have found that a precursor of Lkt toxin has reduced toxic activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combination vaccines comprising a conjugated polysaccharide antigen linked to a carrier protein, and wherein the carrier protein is also present as a free antigen in the vaccine composition, characterised in that the ratio of polysaccharide to protein is from 1:0:3 to 1:2. In particular, the vaccine composition of the present invention relates to a multivalent vaccine, that is a vaccine for the amelioration or treatment of more than one disease state. The present invention also relates to the production and use of such a vaccine in medicine.

Abstract: A conjugate vaccine for Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae comprising lipooligosaccharide from which esterified fatty acids have been removed conjugated to an immunogenic carrier. The vaccine is useful for prevention of otitis media and respiratory infections in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Mycoplasma bovis vaccines and methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder in an animal caused by infection by Mycoplasma bovis by administering to the animal an effective amount of a Mycoplasma bovis vaccine. The Mycoplasma bovis vaccine can be a whole or partial cell inactivated or modified live preparation, a subunit vaccine, or a nucleic acid or DNA vaccine. The Mycoplasma bovis vaccine administered in accordance with the present can be synthesized or recombinantly produced. The invention also relates to combination vaccines, methods of preparing Mycoplasma bovis vaccines and kits.

Abstract: The recombinant fusion proteins comprise the protein of the nucleocapsid of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) obtained both from a European isolate of PRRSV as well as from an American isolate, fused to a sequence of amino acids derived from the system chosen for the expression of said recombinant fusion protein, either directly or by means of a binding area formed by a small number of amino acids. These recombinant fusion proteins are suited for their use in the diagnosis of PRRSV.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses chimeric capsid proteins, nucleic acids encoding such proteins and capsids containing chimeric capsid proteins. Methods of making the chimeric capsid proteins, the nucleic acids that encode such proteins and capsids that contain chimeric capsid proteins are also encompassed within the scope of the invention. The invention further encompasses the use of the chimeric capsid proteins to produce protein elements and to present the elements for use in structure-function studies, for use as therapeutic factors and for other purposes. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.

Abstract: The present invention provides a live temperature-sensitive vaccine for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. The present invention also provides methods of vaccinating a swine against colonization or infection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is: an immunogenic or vaccine composition for inducing in an avian host an immunological response against avian pathologies containing at least one plasmid that contains and expresses in vivo in an avian host cell nucleic acid molecule(s) having sequence(s) encoding antigen(s) of the avian pathogen(s); and, methods for using and kits employing such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced and simplified herpes virus amplicon packaging system. The packaging system comprises a herpes virus amplicon vector and a packaging vector. In one embodiment, the packaging vector comprises a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the HSV-1 genome. The packaging vector contains an intact pac site but is otherwise rendered packaging defective. The packaging vector can be rendered packaging defective by inserting nucleotides into the pac site, or by otherwise interfering with the capsid's ability to close, for example, by increasing the size of the DNA fragment upon which the herpes virus genome is cloned. This system can be used to package a wide range of nucleotide sequences (e.g., a therapeutic or antigenic gene) into an empty herpes virus particle taking advantage of the large transgene capacity of herpes viruses. This system can also be used as a vaccine to induce protective immunity against HSV-1, or other complex pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterin comprising at least two virulent Mycoplasma bovis isolates of differing biotypes, in an amount sufficient to immunize a calf or cow against infection by Mycoplasma bovis, an adjuvant, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided is a method of producing the bacterin of the present invention. Finally, the present invention also provides a method of immunizing a calf or cow against Mycoplasma bovis infection, especially infection associated with BRD, comprising administering to the calf or cow a dose of a bacterin made according to the present invention in an amount effective to elicit a protective response in the animal, as evidenced by a decrease in the mortality and morbidity associated with natural infection.

Abstract: A method for generating antigen-sensitized Ig-A-producing lymphoblasts in a mammal, using an immunogen comprising an antigen or antigen mixture in association with hydroxylated calcium phosphate (hydroxy apatite) is administered to a mucosal surface of the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bacterial delivery system for delivering alphavirus replicon DNA into an animal or animal cells with the replicon encoding one or more heterologous genes to be expressed in the animal or the animal cells. The bacteria are invasive bacteria or attenuated invasive bacteria engineered to contain a DNA vector that encodes the alphavirus replicon in a eukaryotic expression cassette. The heterologous gene can encode an antigen, a therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent, an anti-sense RNA, a catalytic RNA, a protein, a peptide, an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody. In a preferred embodiment, the heterologous gene encodes one or more antigens useful as a vaccine for HIV. In addition to the bacterial delivery system, the invention provides methods of introducing and expressing the heterologous gene(s) in animal or animal cells and methods of stimulating or inducing an immune response.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin vaccine composition, which advantageously provides immunity from infection after a single administration. The composition comprises an inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and an adjuvant mixture, which, in combination, provide immunity from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection after a single administration, and elicit an immune response specific to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and including cell-mediated immunity and local (secretory IgA) immunity. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuvant mixture comprises an acrylic acid polymer, most preferably Carbopol, and a mixture of a metabolizable oil such as one or more unsaturated terpene hydrocarbons, preferably squalene or squalane, and a polyoxyethylene-polypropylene block copolymer such as Pluronic®. The vaccine composition may optionally include a preservative, preferably thimerosol and/or EDTA.

Abstract: Using the nontoxic heavy chain fragment from botulinum neurotoxins A-G, compositions and methods of use in inducing an immune response which is protective against intoxication with botulinum in subjects is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine formulation for the prevention of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) infections and where the antigen is adsorbed onto aluminium phosphate. The invention also relates to a multivalent vaccines, that is a vaccine for the amelioration or treatment of more than one disease states. The present invention also relates to the production and use of such vaccines in medicine.

Abstract: A novel vaccine formulation is provided, comprising a hepatitis B component, particularly hepatitis B surface antigen, in combination with aluminum phosphate and 3 de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A.

Abstract: Inactivated scours vaccines for immunization and protection of bovine animals from disease caused by infection with bovine rotavirus and bovine coronavirus, which comprise and effective amount of at least one inactivated viral strain are described. Polyvalent inactivated vaccines further comprising an effective amount of an antigenic component which is protective against one or more additional pathogenic organisms or viruses are also disclosed. Said vaccines are prepared from one or more strains of rota- and coronavirus, C. perfringens Type C bacteria and E. coli bacteria, and combinations thereof. Preferably, a polyvalent inactivated vaccine is provided for parenteral administration. Passive immunity is achieved in neonatal calves via immunization of pregnant cows prior to birth.

Abstract: A method of immunization, and compositions therefor, are provided for substantially preventing or reducing the symptoms of at least one infectious disease and at least one chronic immune mediated disorder. An immunogenic challenge which supplements the normal childhood immunization schedule can help ensure the proper maturation of the immune system and prevent the development of chronic immune mediated disorders, such as immune-mediated diabetes or SLE.

Abstract: A non-mammalian transfer factor, compositions including the non-mammalian transfer factor, and methods for generating and preparing the non-mammalian transfer factor. The non-mammalian transfer factor may have specificity for one or more antigens. A method of using the non-mammalian transfer factor includes administering either antigen-specific non-mammalian transfer factor or antigen non-specific non-mammalian transfer factor to mammals to treat or prevent pathogenic infections in the mammals.

Abstract: The recombinant fusion proteins comprise the protein of the nucleocapsid of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), obtained both from a European isolate of PRRSV as well as from an American isolates, fused to a sequence of amino acids derived from the system chosen for the expression of said recombinant fusion protein, either directly or by means of a binding area formed by a small number of amino acids. These recombinant fusion proteins are suited for their use in the diagnosis of PRRSV.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterin comprising at least two virulent Mycoplasma bovis isolates of differing biotypes, in an amount sufficient to immunize a calf or cow against infection by Mycoplasma bovis, an adjuvant, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided is a method of producing the bacterin of the present invention. Finally, the present invention also provides a method of immunizing a calf or cow against Mycoplasma bovis infection, especially infection associated with BRD, comprising administering to the calf or cow a dose of a bacterin made according to the present invention in an amount effective to elicit a protective response in the animal, as evidenced by a decrease in the mortality and morbidity associated with natural infection.

Abstract: The pharmaceutical composition is useful for treating epithelial tumors in a subject and contains at least two antigens and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, where each of the antigens induces or is capable of inducing a cutaneous delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in the subject. This composition is particularly useful in treating epithelial tumors, such as warts or verrucae, that are induced by or related to papillomavirus. Antigens useful in the present pharmaceutical composition are anergy panel antigens, such as killed mumps virus, candida extract, trichophyton extract or comparable antigenic extracts. An additional pharmaceutical composition, also useful for treating epithelial tumors, contains at least one antigen that induces or is capable of inducing a cutaneous DTH response in a subject, at least one cytokine or colony stimulating factor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Kits containing these pharmaceutical compositions are useful for this immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a vaccine against tuberculosis and other intracellular pathogens, this vaccine is targeted against intracellular pathogens, more particularly the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella in this case.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a serum-based adjuvanted vaccine which is substantially free of non-host albumin and the use thereof in reducing or preventing post-vaccination systemic reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel infectious bursal disease virus, strain 689 which is suited as vaccine candidate for in ovo vaccination and is deposited at the European Collection of Cell Cultures, Salisbury, Wiltshine, United Kingdom under No. V00012609.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chimaeric polypeptide comprising: a binding portion having specific binding affinity for a eukaryotic target cell surface component and an effector portion comprising an amino acid sequence capable of exerting a biological effect; whereby binding of the polypeptide to the cell surface component induces internalization of at least the effector portion so as to allow the amino acid sequence to exert its biological effect, together with a vaccine comprising the chimaeric polypeptide of the invention, and a method of modulating the immune response of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses are effectively induced to an antigen of interest, particularly viral, bacterial, parasitic and tumor antigens. Compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, of CTL-inducing peptide and an adjuvant or a lipidated peptide which induces a helper T cell (HTL) response stimulate the antigen specific CTL response. Among the viral antigens to which the CTL responses are effectively induced in humans are those of hepatitis B. The CTL response may be optimized by a regimen of two or more booster administrations. Cocktails of two or more CTL inducing peptides are employed to optimize epitope and/or MHC class I restricted coverage.

Abstract: A method of immunization, and compositions therefor, are provided for substantially preventing or reducing the symptoms of at least one infectious disease and at least one chronic immune mediated disorder. An immunogenic challenge which supplements the normal childhood immunization schedule can help ensure the proper maturation of the immune system and prevent the development of chronic immune mediated disorders, such as immune-mediated diabetes or SLE.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to attenuated pestivirus mutants, which have a reduced ability to replicate as exhibited by a small plaque size. The mutations are in the 5′ nontranslated region of the viral genome. These mutant viruses are useful as live vaccines in the control of bovine viral diarrhea, border disease and classical swine fever.

Abstract: A multivalent poultry vaccine is provided having two or more live biological agents or microbial components. Each live biological agent or microbial component is effective in preventing or treating an avian disease, and the multivalent vaccine is safe and effective for immunizing poultry in ovo. Methods are also provided for vaccinating poultry by administering such a multivalent vaccine in ovo.

Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing bacterial contamination of a viral vaccine is disclosed. The method comprises adding an effective preserving amount of a polybiguanide-containing preservative composition to a solution containing vaccine virus or virus antigen. The method is particularly useful in preventing or reducing bacterial contamination of process solutions involved in the manufacture of influenza vaccines.

Abstract: The invention relates to new porcine circovirus strains isolated from pulmonary or ganglionic samples obtained from farms affected by the post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). It relates to purified preparations of these strains, conventional attenuated or inactivated vaccines, recombinant live vaccines, plasmid vaccines and subunit vaccines, as well as reagents and diagnostic methods. It also relates to the DNA fragments which can be used for the production of subunits in an in vitro expression vector or as sequences to be integrated into a virus or plasmid type in vivo expression vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine formulation for the prevention of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) infections and where the antigen is adsorbed onto aluminium phosphate. The invention also relates to a multivalent vaccine, that is a vaccine for the amelioration or treatment of more than one disease states. The present invention also relates to the production and use of such vaccines in medicine.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immunogenic construct comprising as components (i) an inactive flavivirus or a derivative thereof, and (ii) at least one immunogenic component which is bonded to the flavivirus or adsorbed therewith. The invention further concerns a process for preparing the immunogenic construct and its use as a vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are compositions containing a Borrelia burgdorferi antigen, and methods for making and using them. The antigen can be OspA. The compositions can contain at least one additional antigen from a pathogen other than Borrelia burgdorferi. The compositions are useful for eliciting an immunological response in a host mammal susceptible to Lyme Disease and to the mammalian pathogen other than Borrelia burgdorferi. Suitable host mammals include dogs, pups, horses, and, the additional antigen can be of a canine, equine or feline pathogen, such as rabies, canine distemper, adenovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus. No significant efficacy interference is observed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions both for providing protection against disease in an animal and for inducing increased intake of an orally administered vaccine by an animal. The methods of the invention are directed to admixing a bacterial or viral antigen with a water soluble palatable flavorant, further admixing the antigen and flavorant mixture with a water soluble vehicle for oral administration of the vaccine to an animal in order to provide protection against disease associated with infection by the admixed antigen and to induce the increased intake of the vaccine with the flavorant. The present invention thus encompasses methods and compositions for the oral vaccination of healthy animals through drinking water or syrups as an aid in the prevention of disease.

Abstract: Live-attenuated vaccines against Edwardsiella ictaluri or against Pasteurella piscicida are disclosed. Both vaccines are incapable of reversion to virulence, because both are made by deletion mutations in the aroA gene, the purA gene, or both. These vaccines may be used not only to vaccinate fish against Edwardsiella ictaluri or Pasteurela piscicida, but also to serve as vectors to present antigens from other pathogens to the fish, thereby serving as vaccines against other pathogens as well, with no risk of infection by reversion to the virulent form of the pathogen in which the antigen occurs naturally.

Abstract: The present immunotherapy relates to a method of treating epithelial tumors and the pharmaceutical compositions and kits useful in treating such tumors. The immunotherapy comprises injecting an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing at least one antigen into the tumor, wherein the antigen is selected for inducing or having the ability to induce a cutaneous delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in the subject prior to the injection of the antigen into the tumors. This immunotherapy is particularly useful in treating epithelial tumors, such as warts or verrucae, that are induced by or related to papillomavirus. Antigens useful in the present immunotherapy are anergy panel antigens, such as killed mumps virus, candida extract, trichophyton extract or comparable antigenic extracts.

Abstract: A multi-component immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Such composition comprises at least three different antigens of Haemophilus influenzae, two of which are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The Haemophilus vaccine may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may contain inactivated poliovirus, including type 1, type 2 and/or type 3, and/or a conjugate of a capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae and tetanus or diphtheria toxoid, including PRP-T, to provide a multi-valent component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: Vaccines useful in providing protection against lower respiratory tract infections are provided as well as methods of immunising a subject.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions are disclosed which comprise at least one antigen formed by the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b or high molecular weight polyribosylribitol phosphate coupled to tetanus anatoxin.

Abstract: The invention relates to seroreactive regions on proteins E1 and E2 of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16.

Abstract: A method for producing a conjugate vaccine includes mixing a uronium salt reagent with a first moiety (e.g., a polysaccharide). According to the invention, the uronium salt reagent has a chemical structure corresponding to formula I: wherein R1 is defined as wherein R6 represents the carbon, hydrogen, and optionally one or more heteroatoms which, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, constitute a 5 to 10 membered heterocyclic ring, which may be substituted or unsubstituted. R2, R3, R4, and R5, each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkynyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Alternatively, R2 and R3, when taken together, can represent the carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, or oxygen atoms necessary to complete a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel compounds that function as immunological adjuvants when co-administered with antigens such as vaccines for bacterial and viral diseases, to novel adjuvant formulations which include at least one of the adjuvant compounds of the invention, to novel immunostimulatory compositions which comprise an antigen and at least one of the adjuvant compounds of the invention, and to methods for the immunization of an animal by co-administration of a compound of the invention with an antigen against which the animal is to be immunized.