Abstract: Disclosed is an in vivo equine disease model and a method of preparing the disease model for equine herpesvirus-1 neurological disease comprising a horse having a low pre-exposure level of herpesvirus-specific CTL precursors wherein the horse is experimentally infected with a neuropathogenic strain of equine herpesvirus or a mutant thereof. Also disclosed is a method of quantifying the risk factors and predicting the development of clinical neurologic signs of equine herpesvirus-1 neurological disease in a horse. Also described in the invention is the determination of the risk of developing the clinical neurologic signs by a mathematical equation. A new live, attenuated vaccine formulation is disclosed that is effective against neurologic disease due to equine herpesvirus-1.

Abstract: In this application are described filovirus-like particles for both Ebola and Marburg and their use as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent as well as a filovirus vaccine. Also described is the association of Ebola and Marburs with lipid rafts during assembly and budding, and the requirement of functional rafts for entry of filoviruses into cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to infectious DNA clones, infectious chimeric DNA clones of porcine circovirus (PCV), vaccines and means of protecting pigs against viral infection or postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) caused by PCV2. The new chimeric infectious DNA clone and its derived, avirulent chimeric virus are constructed from the nonpathogenic PCV1 in which the immunogenic ORF gene of the pathogenic PCV2 replaces a gene of the nonpathogenic PCV1, preferably in the same position. The chimeric virus advantageously retains the nonpathogenic phenotype of PCV1 but elicits specific immune responses against the pathogenic PCV2. The invention further embraces the immunogenic polypeptide expression products. In addition, the invention encompasses two mutations in the PCV2 immunogenic capsid gene and protein, and the introduction of the ORF2 mutations in the chimeric clones.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an inactivated chimeric virus vaccine and/or immunogenic composition for the treatment or prevention of viral infection. Further, various other embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods of preventing and treating virus infection in such animals with the inactivated vaccine and/or immunogenic composition. Other embodiments comprise methods of preparing a vaccine or immunogenic composition for the treatment or prevention of viral infection in such animals.

Abstract: The invention provides attenuated Flavivirus vaccines, such as vaccines against Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus, as well as methods of making and using these vaccines.

Abstract: A multivalent vaccine composition that comprises a papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) component and one or more antigens is provided. The composition can further optionally comprise a Salmonella spp. porin component. The PapMV component can be PapMV or PapMV virus-like particles (VLPs). The porin component can be a Salmonella spp. OmpC, OmpF or a combination thereof, and can be combined with the PapMV component or conjugated to the PapMV component. The PapMV component in the multivalent vaccine composition functions as an adjuvant and/or an immunostimulant with respect to the one or more antigens. Use of the multivalent vaccine compositions to provide protection against a plurality of strains of a pathogen, or against more than one pathogen, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to induce neutralizing antibodies in mammals to serotypes of dengue virus, measles virus, mumps virus, rubella and/or VZV virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions comprising Norovirus antigens and adjuvants, in particular, mixtures of monovalent VLPs and mixtures of multivalent VLPs, and to methods of conferring protective immunity to Norovirus infections in a human subject.

Abstract: Chimeric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) polypeptide antigens are provided. The disclosed polypeptides include a first amino acid sequence comprising an F2 domain uncleavably joined to an F1 domain of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Fusion (F) protein polypeptide; and a second amino acid sequence comprising a portion of an RSV Attachment (G) protein polypeptide comprising an immunologically dominant epitope. The disclosure also provides nucleic acids that encode, and pharmaceutical compositions that contain, the chimeric RSV polypeptides, as well as methods for their production and use.

Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising (avian pandemic) influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides artificial fusion proteins (AFPs) designed to elicit an anti-HIV immune response, as well as nucleic acid molecules and expression vectors encoding those proteins. The AFPs of the invention may comprise domains from various HIV proteins, such as Gag, Pol, Vif, and Env proteins, which are partial sequences. HIVCON is an AFP in which the HIV domains are from several HIV clade consensus sequences and which optionally contains additional domains which may be useful, for example, in monitoring expression levels or laboratory animal immune responses. Other aspects of the invention may include compositions and methods for inducing an anti-HIV immune response in a subject, preferably with a DNA prime-MVA boost strategy, and to induce a cell-mediated immune response.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel proteins, e.g., antigens, from Piscirickettsia salmonis. The present invention further discloses nucleic acids that encode these proteins. The present invention also discloses the use of the proteins, e.g., antigens, and nucleic acids to prepare vaccines against salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS). The present invention further provides recombinant Yersinia ruckeri cells to be used to construct vaccines against SRS. The present invention also discloses vaccines that to can be used to protect fish from Piscirickettsia salmonis, as well as other pathogens. In addition, the present invention discloses methods of using the vaccines of the present invention to protect fish from SRS as well as from other pathogenic diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation and uses of novel avian astroviruses. The present invention also relates to vaccines, kits and methods for detection of a novel astrovirus. The present invention further relates to vaccination of avians, prevention and/or treatment of avian infections associated with astrovirus. Infections of poultry by this novel astrovirus are associated with runt stunting syndromes.

Abstract: The invention provides for immunogenic compositions against West Nile Virus. The immunogenic compositions, in alternate embodiments, also include other equine pathogens. The West Nile Virus composition of the present invention advantageously provides for protection against North American Dominant West Nile Virus strains or isolates.

Abstract: New methods and reagents for vaccination are described which generate a CD8 T cell immune response against malarial and other antigens such as viral and tumour antigens. Novel vaccination regimes are described which employ a priming composition and a boosting composition, the boosting composition comprising a non-replicating or replication-impaired pox virus vector carrying at least one CD8 T cell epitope which is also present in the priming composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to Dengue chimeric viruses which are less prone to accumulate point mutations and genetic variations. In these Dengue chimeric viruses, the NS5 gene, which encodes polymerase, has been replaced by the corresponding NS5 sequence of a Yellow Fever virus.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition or vaccine, and method of treatment are provided by the present invention. The immunogenic composition is useful for treating, preventing, and lessening the severity of clinical symptoms associated with disease-causing organisms in swine, utilizing one or more Porcine Teschovirus antigen(s) along with an antigen of the other disease-causing organism in swine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A self-assembling nanoparticle drug delivery system for the delivery of drugs including peptides, proteins, nucleic acids or synthetic chemical drugs is provided. The self-assembling nanoparticle drug delivery system described herein includes viral capsid proteins, such as Hepatitis B Virus core protein, encapsulating the drug, a lipid bi-layer envelope and targeting or facilitating molecules anchored in the lipid bilayer. A method for construction of the self-assembling nanocparticle drug delivery system is also provided.

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 thimerosal and/or EDTA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combined vaccines against measles and human papilloma virus (HPV). In particular, the invention relates to recombinant measles virus vectors containing heterologous nucleic acid encoding single or several antigens derived from HPV, preferably, the major capside antigen L1, the minor capside antigen L2, the early gene E6 and the early gene E7 oncoproteins of HPV type 16, and optionally of types 18, 6 and 11. In a first embodiment, prophylactic vaccines are generated expressing HPV antigens, preferably L1 and/or L2 such that they induce a potent long-lasting immune response in mammals, preferably humans, to protect against HPV and MV infection. In another embodiment, therapeutic vaccines are generated expressing E6 and E7 proteins, and optionally L1 and L2, such that they induced strong immune responses will resolve persistent HPV infections at early or late stages, including HPV-induced cervical carcinoma.

Abstract: This invention relates to immunogenic compositions including influenza B virus sequences, and methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) virus-like particles (VLPs) comprising at least one RSV protein are described. Also described are compositions comprising these VLPs as well as methods of making and using these VLPs.

Abstract: A method for using inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus particles as an adjuvant of a vaccine is provided. A method for using inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) particles as an adjuvant of various vaccines or a mixed vaccine, said JEV particles being obtained by inoculating JEV Beijing-1 strain to Vero cells, culturing said JEV-infected cells to give cultured cells or culture supernatant, purifying JEV particles from said cultured cells or culture supernatant and inactivating said JEV particles with formalin, a method for preparing a (mixed) vaccine which comprises a step of letting inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus be contained, and a mixed vaccine prepared by said method.

Abstract: The present invention generally features methods for the mucosal delivery of immunogenic compositions and methods for treating or preventing diseases featuring such immunogenic compositions. In particular embodiments, the immunogenic compositions are genetic vaccines formulated as aerosols.

Abstract: The invention provides immunogenic formulations comprising virus-like particles (VLPs) from two or more genoclusters and/or strains of norovirus in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In representative embodiments, the formulation also comprises an adjuvant, for example, a viral adjuvant or CpG. The invention also provides methods of inducing an immune response to one or more noroviruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines comprising a bacteriophage which has been engineered to express an immunogenic protein/peptide and wherein the surface of the bacteriophage has not been modified to contain proteins/peptides designed to target the phage to receptors on the surface of specific cell types.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing the vircidal activity of a composition comprising a PCV-2 antigen as well as antigenic preparations and immunogenic compositions comprising a PCV-2 antigen, wherein the virucidal activity has been reduced. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method of increasing the immunogenicity of an immunogenic composition comprising a PCV-2 antigen as well as immunogenic composition with an increased immunogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant HIV-1 (Human immunodeficiency virus-1) protease capable of effectively enhancing cell-mediated immune responses to DNA vaccination, and use of a nucleic acid encoding the same as a vaccine adjuvant. The mutant HIV-1 protease according to the present invention has inactivated or attenuated proteolytic activity, while retaining chaperone-like activity. When the mutant HIV-1 protease is used together with a DNA vaccine against the HIV-1 envelope protein or the HPV antigen (E6 or E7), cell-mediated immune responses can be effectively enhanced for the prevention or treatment of AIDS or cervical cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of virosome-like-particles. The invention provides a method for producing a virosome-like-particle comprising contacting an enveloped virus with a solution containing a short-chain phospholipid allowing solubilisation of the viral envelope of said virus further comprising removing short-chain phospholipid from said solution allowing formation of a functionally reconstituted viral envelope.

Abstract: Polyvalent, primary isolate nucleic acid compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV is disclosed. The composition and methods described herein are for the use of a DNA composition that encodes one or more different HIV envelope glycoproteins. The DNA composition can encode an HIV Gag protein. The DNAs encoding one or more HIV proteins are a combination of different nucleic acids, such as DNA plasmids, generated from primary isolate DNA of different HIV major group genetic clades and/or different proteins. HIV protein compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV are disclosed. Methods fro using the protein compositions as boosts following administration of the DNA compositions are provided.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a molecular adjuvant to generate an immune response in a host. In particular, the molecular adjuvant may be a TLR signalling pathway component, a co-stimulatory molecule, an NKG2D ligand, IL- or IL-15.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein concern attenuated, St. Louis Encephalitis Virus/dengue virus type 4 antigenic chimeric viruses, which can be used to prepare immunogenic compositions, vaccines, and diagnostic reagents. Methods of making and using the foregoing are provided.

Abstract: Formulation of vaccine antigens, containing as main components: a-) one or several DNA expressing one or several proteins in the immunized individuals and b-) a viral antigen, in appropriate proportions. Development of new formulations, minimizing the number of components that enhance and diversify the spectrum of immune response against different pathogenic entities and generating combined vaccines against pathogens. These formulations can be applied in the pharmaceutical industry for preventive and-or therapeutic use in human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods and immunogenic and/or vaccine compositions for providing an immune response to feline calicivirus, including hypervirulent strains of feline calicivirus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses nucleic acid sequences which encode infectious hepatitis C viruses and the use of these sequences, and polypeptides encoded by all or part of these sequences, in the development of vaccines and diagnostics for HCV and in the development of screening assays for the identification of antiviral agents for HCV.

Abstract: The invention refers an improved vaccine against infections with pathogens, especially viral pathogens, comprising an antigen, a peptide of the formula R1—XZSZN—XZX—R2 and an immunostimulatory deoxynucleic acid containing deoxyinosine and/or deoxyuridine residues.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing or treating human rhinovirus infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filovirus VLPs and their use in activating innate immunity, specifically natural killer cells, and in enhancing an immune response to an antigen in an animal.

Abstract: Chimeric human-bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an anti-RSV immune response. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric RSV genome or antigenome which includes a partial or complete human or bovine RSV “background” genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different RSV strain. Chimeric human-bovine RSV of the invention include a partial or complete “background” RSV genome or antigenome derived from or patterned after a human or bovine RSV strain or subgroup virus combined with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different RSV strain or subgroup virus to form the human-bovine chimeric RSV genome or antigenome.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides which specifically targets and binds to dendritic cells. Also provided are fusion compositions comprising these peptides and a non-dendritic protein of fragments thereof. Further provided are DNA sequences encoding these peptides and fusion compositions. Methods of using the peptides or fusion compositions to promote an immune responses in an individual via administration also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combination vaccines and methods for treating or preventing diseases or disorders in an animal caused by infection by Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) Types 1 and 2, Bovine Herpes Virus Type-1 (BHV-1), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), Parainfluenza Virus (PI3), Campylobacter fetus, Leptospira canicola, Leptospira grippotyphosa, Leptospira hardj-prajitno, Leptospira icterohaemmorrhagiae, Leptospira hardjo-bovis and Leptospira pomona by administering to the animal an effective amount of a combination vaccine. The combination vaccine can be a whole or partial cell inactivated or modified live preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and vaccine technology. More specifically, the present invention relates to stabilizers for freeze-dried live attenuated immunogenic and/or vaccine compositions, which may comprise, inter alia, canine paramyxovirus. The invention further relates to stabilized, freeze-dried live attenuated immunogenic and/or vaccine compositions of, for example, canine paramyxovirus, which may contain these stabilizers. Other aspects of the invention are described in or are obvious from the following disclosure, and are within the ambit of the invention.

Abstract: Chimeric flaviviruses that are avirulent and immunogenic are provided. The chimeric viruses are constructed to contain amino acid mutations in the nonstructural viral proteins of a flavivirus. Chimeric viruses containing the attenuation-mutated nonstructural genes of the virus are used as a backbone into which the structural genes of a second flavivirus strain are inserted. These chimeric viruses elicit pronounced immunogenicity yet lack the accompanying clinical symptoms of viral disease. The attenuated chimeric viruses are effective as immunogens or vaccines and may be combined in a pharmaceutical composition to confer simultaneous immunity against several strains of pathogenic flaviviruses.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing immune responses against poxviruses are disclosed. The compositions include nucleic acids that encode modified vaccinia and variola antigens. Compositions that include recombinant vaccinia and variola polypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection is further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to novel multivalent vaccines and methods of vaccinating. In an embodiment, the present invention is a trivalent vaccine for canine herpesvirus (CHV), canine rotavirus (CRV), and Minute virus of canine (MVC) or other canine parvovirus delivered to pups of a whelp through colostrums and providing sufficient antibody titer to impart protection.

Abstract: This invention describes a pharmaceutical compound which has the capsid protein of Dengue virus and which is capable of inducing, in the receptor, a protective immune response before the viral challenge, without inducing the Ab-dependent enhancement phenomenon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunizing a cat against feline viruses. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid clone that encodes the capsid protein of the isolated feline calicivirus. The present invention further relates to a live or killed vaccine comprising the isolated feline calicivirus, a subunit vaccine comprising the capsid protein of the isolated feline calicivirus, a nucleic acid vaccine comprising a nucleic acid clone of the isolated feline calicivirus, and a recombinant virus vector vaccine comprising nucleic acid encoding the capsid protein of the isolated feline calicivirus. The present invention also relates to a method for identifying a feline calicivirus useful for producing a vaccine composition and for assays for diagnosing cats infected with feline calicivirus. Also disclosed is a method of immunizing animals, especially cats, against disease, in particular against feline calicivirus (FCV).

Abstract: This invention involves compositions and methods for protecting animals from pestivirus infection and for treating animals infected with pestivirus. Pharmaceutical compositions containing E2 and NS3 from a pestivirus are used to protect animals or treat animals.