Abstract: Adjuvant combinations comprising at least one NKT activator, such as alpha-galactosylceramide (?-Gal-Cer) or iGb3, a CD40 agonist and optionally an antigen are disclosed. The use of these immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as cancers is also provided.

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: Methods and materials for the detection of the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV). The methods may utilize PCR amplification, with or without an internal positive control, and appropriate primer pairs. The reagents to perform these methods can be supplied as a kit and/or in tablet form.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a newly discovered murine norovirus, and compositions and methods related thereto.

Abstract: Methods for purifying human Calciviruses are disclosed, including Noroviruses and Sapoviruses.

Abstract: Disclosed are vaccines and vaccine adjuvants useful in the treatment and/or prevention of infection and diseases associated with infectious pathogens, such as tetanus, as well as diseases associated with biological toxins. Also provided are methods of preparing an adjuvant and the vaccine containing the adjuvant. Methods are also provided for vaccinating/immunizing an animal against infection and diseases associated with infectious pathogens, such as tetanus, and other diseases associated with biological toxins. Adjuvant materials are presented that are prepared from an extracellular matrix material. The adjuvants are demonstrated to enhance the immunogenicity of an infectious pathogen antigen or biological toxin antigen of interest, as well as to enhance the survival of an immunized animal.

Abstract: A double-effective vaccine vector against foot-and-mouth disease virus having a bicistronic expression vector sequence, the bicistronic expression vector sequence is an antisense gene sequence capable of conjugating with 5? UTR of RNA of the foot-and-mouth disease virus genome and an intact sequence of VP1 structural protein gene of the foot-and-mouth disease virus. Animal experiments show that the vaccine vector provides double effects in terms of gene therapy and gene immunization for the prevention and treatment of foot-and-mouth disease in animals. Also provided are construction methods and methods of use of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful to enhance the development of the immune system of a growing animal are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant human CAR (coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor) polypeptides which bind adenovirus. Specifically, polypeptides corresponding to adenovirus binding domain D1 and the entire extracellular domain of human CAR protein comprising D1 and D2 are provided. In another aspect, the invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding these domains and expression vectors for producing the domains and bacterial cells containing such vectors. The invention also includes an isolated fusion protein comprised of the D1 polypeptide fused to a polypeptide which facilitates folding of D1 when expressed in bacteria. The functional D1 domain finds application in a therapeutic method for treating a patient infected with a CAR D1-binding virus, and also in a method for identifying an antiviral compound which interferes with viral attachment. The invention also provides a method for specifically targeting a cell for infection by a virus which binds to D1.

Abstract: There are provided methods for treatment of abnormal cells such as cancer cells in a mammal. The methods involve treating the mammal with virus selected from echoviruses and modified forms and combination thereof, which recognize ?2?1 for infectivity of the cells. There are also provided methods for screening viruses for use in a method of the invention as well as pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vaccine and a method for using the vaccine to protect a feline from influenza virus infection. The vaccine comprises one or more antigens from one or more H3, N8, H7 or N7-type influenza viruses.

Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a vaccine for in ovo inoculation effective for prevention of any fowl viral diseases. A fowl vaccine for in ovo inoculation with high efficacy in view of safety as well wherein, by holding such live viruses on a virus-adsorbing agent through adsorption that have been difficult for practical usage as a vaccine for in ovo inoculation, viral growth in embryonated chicken eggs after in ovo inoculation is retarded to thereby reduce pathogenicity of the viruses to embryo to avoid reduction in hatching rate and to alleviate severity in clinical symptoms after hatching. A virus-adsorbing agent to be used in the vaccine includes an aluminum compound such as aluminum hydroxide gel, potassium alum and the like.

Abstract: A method of detecting osteoporosis in a mammalian is disclosed herein which includes: a) obtaining a sample of a bone related tissue or cells; and b) measuring the concentration of at least a marker which is either bacteria, bacteria produced factors, or HSPs. The method may further include comparing the concentration with concentrations from the same individual over a period of time or against a standard concentration. The marker may be a bacteria, a chaperone molecule, or a bacteria produced. Also provided herein is a method of treating or preventing osteoporosis caused by a bone disease which includes administering to a mammalian subject a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation which is either an HSP antigenic formulation or a bacterial antigenic formulation. The osteoporosis can be caused by a bone disease induced by bone infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and parasites.

Abstract: The invention provides a new enteroviral species call EV79, and functional parts, derivatives and analogues of said virus. Proteinaceous molecules capable of specifically binding EV79, such as isolated or recombinant antibodies, are also herewith provided. A virus and/or proteinaceous molecule of the invention is particularly suitable for diagnosis of an EV79-related disease. Vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic kits comprising said virus or proteinaceous molecule are also provided, as well as methods for producing same. A diagnostic kit of the invention may as well comprise a primer/probe capable of amplifying and/or hybridizing the genome or part thereof of EV79.

Abstract: Previously, we showed that type I interferon (alpha/beta interferon [IFN-?/?]) can inhibit foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) replication in cell culture, and swine inoculated with 109 PFU of human adenovirus type 5 expressing porcine IFN-? (Ad5-pIFN-?) were protected when challenged 1 day later. In this study, we found that type II pIFN (pIFN-?) also has antiviral activity against FMDV in cell culture and that, in combination with pIFN-?, it has a synergistic antiviral effect. We also observed that while each IFN alone induced a number of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), the combination resulted in a synergistic induction of some ISGs. To extend these studies to susceptible animals, we inoculated groups of swine with a control Ad5, 108 PFU of Ad5-pIFN-?, low- or high-dose Ad5-pIFN-?, or a combination of Ad5-pIFN-? and low- or high-dose Ad5-pIFN-? and challenged all groups with FMDV 1 day later.

Abstract: This invention relates to an SRSV detection kit comprising all antibodies against SRSV-related virus constituting peptides selected from the following peptide groups (a) to (k), respectively: (a) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and the like, (b) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, and the like, (c) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3, and the like, (d) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 4, and the like, (e) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 5, and the like, (f) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 6, and the like, (g) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 7, and the like, (h) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8, and the like, (i) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9, and the like, (j) a peptide having an amino acid sequence repre

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to peptide vaccines. More specifically, the present invention relates to vaccines against rhinoviruses and other related and non-related pathogenic animal viruses. In addition, the present invention relates generally to methods of designing and producing vaccines against viruses and, in certain embodiments, against rhinoviruses and other pathogenic viruses.

Abstract: A vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease, using as antigen an efficient amount of empty capsids of the foot-and-mouth virus. The empty capsids are obtained by expressing, in eukaryotic cells, cDNA of the P1 region of the foot-and-mouth virus genome coding for the capsid and cDNA of the region of the foot-and-mouth virus genome coding for protease 3C. The vaccine further includes a carrier or excipient pharmaceutically acceptable in veterinary medicine.

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: The invention provides in part methods of treating cancers of a specific organ or tissue by administering a composition that is antigenically specific for one or more microbes that are pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue in which the cancer is situated. The formulations of the invention thereby facilitate activation of a treatment response to a cancer in a particular tissue or organ. The compositions may for example include killed or attenuated microbial pathogens, and may be administered at sites distant from the cancer, for example the skin. In some embodiments, microbial species of endogenous flora that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions. In alternative embodiments, exogenous microbial pathogens that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides a dry powder composition for poultry vaccination via inhalation comprising an effective amount of a poultry vaccine agent, and a supporting amount of carriers for said poultry vaccine agent, said carriers comprising a combination of a reducing or non-reducing sugar and a biocompatible polymer, said dry powder composition being in the form of particles having an average particle size from 2 to 30 ?m and a particle size polydispersity from 1.1 to 4.0. This invention also relates to a method for producing said dry powder compositions and a system for vaccination of poultry by inhalation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigenic and vaccine compositions comprising Norovirus antigens and adjuvants, in particular, mixtures of monovalent VLPs and mixtures of multivalent VLPs, and to a process for the production of both monovalent and multivalent VLPs, the VLPs comprising capsid proteins from one or more Norovirus genogroups.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a newly discovered murine norovirus, and compositions and methods related thereto.

Abstract: The isolation of a novel pathogenic bovine enterovirus is described. The novel pathogenic bovine enterovirus is used to develop antibodies and immunogenic compositions against the novel pathogenic bovine enterovirus. Diagnostic assays are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against a viral infection caused by a hemorrhagic feline calicivirus (hFCV), a novel, atypical and unusually virulent form of a calicivirus that results in a highly contagious and fatal hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The present invention further encompasses methods of immunizing cats against particular strains of hFCV.

Abstract: A method of prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of a mammal for a disease that is caused by a Ljungan virus infection, such as Myocarditis, Cardiomyopathia, Guillain Barré Syndrome, and Diabetes Mellitus, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, Amyothrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Spontaneous Abortion, Intrauterine Death, Preeclampsia, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Bell's (facial) paralysis, Addison's disease, and Pernicious anemia, is described. An antiviral compound effective against a Ljungan virus, such as a compound effective against a picornavirus, e.g. Pleconaril or a derivative thereof, is used for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease in a mammal that is caused by a Ljungan virus infection, to eliminate or inhibit proliferation of the virus in the mammal and at the same time prevent and/or treat the disease in the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel, isolated and purified hemorrhagic feline calicivirus FCV-DD1. The invention further embraces monovalent and multivalent vaccines containing the new FCV-DD1 strain. In addition, the invention encompasses methods of protecting felines against infection or preventing disease caused by feline calicivirus alone or in addition to other pathogens that comprises administering to the felines an immunologically effective amount of the monovalent and multivalent vaccines described herein. Also, the invention concerns methods for diagnosing or detecting the hemorrhagic feline calicivirus in a susceptible host, asymptomatic carrier and the like by detecting the presence of feline calicivirus FCV-DD1 or antibodies raised or produced against feline calicivirus FCV-DD1 antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against a viral infection caused by a hemorrhagic feline calicivirus (hFCV), a novel, a typical and unusually virulent form of a calicivirus that results in a highly contagious and fatal hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The present invention further encompasses methods of immunizing cats against particular strains of hFCV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel, isolated and purified hemorrhagic feline calicivirus FCV-DD1. The invention further embraces monovalent and multivalent vaccines containing the new FCV-DD1 strain. In addition, the invention encompasses methods of protecting felines against infection or preventing disease caused by feline calicivirus alone or in addition to other pathogens that comprises administering to the felines an immunologically effective amount of the monovalent and multivalent vaccines described herein. Also, the invention concerns methods for diagnosing or detecting the hemorrhagic feline calicivirus in a susceptible host, asymptomatic carrier and the like by detecting the presence of feline calicivirus FCV-DD1 or antibodies raised or produced against feline calicivirus FCV-DD1 antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against a viral infection caused by a virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV), a novel, atypical and unusually virulent form of a calicivirus that results in a highly contagious and fatal hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The present invention further encompasses methods of immunizing cats against particular strains of VS-FCV.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified viral genomes for use as vaccines or vectors, which are improved in their ability to retain attenuating mutations. The genomes are from viruses that replicate by way of an RNA-dependent RNA or DNA polymerase. The genomes are modified in the pol gene to encode polymerases that catalyze slower replication, have increased transcriptional fidelity, or are otherwise altered such that the reversion rate of the modified virus to a non-attenuated form is decreased as compared to an equivalent, unmodified virus. In particular, modified coxsackievirus genomes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to retro peptides, as well as antibodies thereto, and to their uses, chiefly in the field of preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, in particular vaccines, and for in vitro diagnosis of various pathologies.

Abstract: A new group of picornaviruses is disclosed. The picornaviruses of the invention comprise in the non-coding region of their viral genome a nucleotide sequence which corresponds to cDNA sequence (I) or homologous sequences having at least 75% homology to the SEQ ID NO:1, and they cause mammalian disease. Further aspects of the invention comprise a protein corresponding to a protein of the picornaviruses, antiserum or antibody directed against a protein of the picornaviruses, antigen comprising a protein of the picornaviruses, diagnostic kits, vaccines, use of the picornaviruses in medicaments, particularly for the treatment or prevention of Myocarditis, Cardiomyopathia, Guillain Barré Syndrome, and Diabetes Mellitus, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatique Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, Amyothrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Spontaneous Abortion, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and methods of treatment of diseases caused by the picornaviruses.

Abstract: Live virus vaccines comprise attenuated viruses, while other vaccines comprise killed viruses or parts thereof. It has now been found that the immune response induced by oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), which is a live vaccine, is cross-reactive with non-polio enteroviruses. OPV is therefore useful in the prevention of non-polio enterovirus diseases, especially Type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM). OPV is also useful in combination with killed/subunit non-polio enterovirus vaccines, whereby it prevents harmful side-effects of the killed/subunit vaccine by shifting the immune response from a harmful Th2-type response to a Th1 type response.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a newly discovered murine norovirus, and compositions and methods related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine accelerator factor (VAF) which is an in ovo nucleotide immuno-stimulant. The VAF contains one or more DNA constructs, each having a DNA molecule and a vector. Each of the DNA molecule contains one or more genes or gene fragments, each encoding an antigenic peptide of an avian virus. The VAF is preferably administered to the amniotic fluid of an egg after being fertilized for about 17–19 days. The VAF can be co-administered with a viral vaccine containing one or more attenuated or inactive avian viruses. Alternatively, the VAF can be administered prior to the administration of the viral vaccine, which is administered at hatch or post-hatch. The VAF stimulates and accelerate a protective immune response of a viral vaccine.

Abstract: Immunogenic preparations and vaccines, in particular which are inactivated, effective against feline calicivirosis, based on an FCV virus strain 431 as deposited at the CNCM under the accession number CNCM I-2166, or one of its equivalents, in a veterinarily acceptable vehicle or excipient, preferably combined with FCV virus obtained from another FCV strain, in particular strain G1 as deposited at the CNCM under the accession number CNCM I-2167.

Abstract: The present invention relates to FMDC vaccine based on peptides having a sequence of at least 8 amino acids, which corresponds to a partial sequence of the non-structural protein region of FMDV, which was selected by immunoreactivity with FMDV-specific antibodies or by immunoreactivity with FMDV-specific T lymphocytes, and to their production and their use.

Abstract: The invention concerns the stabilization of a vaccine composition maintained in liquid state by the use of high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone, hence eliminating the use of albumen. The invention is of particular interest for vaccine compositions comprising attenuated live viruses such as oral vaccine against poliomyelitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions comprising iron phosphate as adjuvant. This iron phosphate is in the form of particles, the size of which is between 0.01 ?m and 300 ?m; it can be obtained by mixing a solution of iron salt and of phosphate salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against a viral infection caused by a virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV), a novel, atypical and unusually virulent form of a calicivirus that results in a highly contagious and fatal hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The present invention further encompasses methods of immunizing cats against particular strains of VS-FCV.

Abstract: A pure, water-soluble polypeptide containing one or more monomers of a VP1 protein of a foot-and-mouth disease virus; or a pure, water-insoluble polypeptide comprising two or more monomers of a VP1 protein of a foot-and-mouth disease virus. Also disclosed are a vaccine containing the polypeptide, a method of producing the polypeptide, and a method of inducing an immune response in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against a viral infection caused by a hemorrhagic feline calicivirus (hFCV), a novel, a typical and unusually virulent form of a calicivirus that results in a highly contagious and fatal hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The present invention further encompasses methods of immunizing cats against particular strains of hFCV.

Abstract: The present invention describes a modified virus comprising one or more non-native polypeptides, which polypeptide comprises one or more framework moieties each containing one or more binding moieties, which polypeptide is capable of being expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of a mammalian host cell in a conformation which is maintained in the absence of a ligand for said binding moieties, said conformation allowing said binding moieties subsequently to bind with said ligand, and which polypeptide is capable of transport though the nuclear membrane, wherein said modified virus has an altered tropism conferred by said binding moieties and the use of such viruses in therapy, particularly in the treatment of tumours or other cancerous cells.

Abstract: The cloning of a novel PCVII viral genome is described as is expression of proteins derived from the PCVII genome. These proteins can be used in vaccine compositions for the prevention and treatment of PCVII infections, as well as in diagnostic methods for determining the presence of PCVII infections in a vertebrate subject. Polynucleotides derived from the viral genome can be used as diagnostic primers and probes.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inactivating a microorganism and preparing a vaccine including the step of applying to said microorganism a cross-linking agent simultaneously with a separate inactivant. This invention further relates to vaccines prepared by such methods and a kit including such inactivated microorganism. The cross-linking agent is typically formaldehyde (FA) and the inactivant typically binary ethyleneimine (BEI).

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the use of attenuated coxsackievirus cardiotropic virus vectors as efficient gene transfer vectors to deliver immunomodulatory or other biologically active proteins and/or antigenic epitopes in transient infections to aid in preventing, ameliorating, and/or ablating infectious viral heart disease and reducing, or ablating entirely, heart transplant rejection. Specifically disclosed are univalent and multivalent vaccines for certain viruses, including adenovirus and coxsackieviruses. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for suppressing onset of type 1 diabetes, using vectors of the invention that express immunomodulatory proteins, specifically IL-4.

Abstract: The invention relates to diagnostic methods, probes, detection systems and kits for the identification of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in a biological sample obtained from a farm animal. It was discovered that a highly conserved region of sequence existed with the 3D coding region of the FMDV genome. This region was found to be strikingly similar, and often identical or with only one or two nucleotide substitution, between the various serotypes of FMDV. Thus, by performing PCR analysis with probes comprising sequences form this region or ELISA with antibodies directed to polypeptide products expressed from this region, a plurality of serotypes of FMDV could be detected from a single test. Further, by including dried PCR reagents plus trehelose, kits could be stored at room temperatures for long periods of time without any significant loss in sensitivity or specificity.

Abstract: A composition for treating or preventing virus-induced infections is described, along with a process of producing the composition and methods of the composition's use. The composition comprises viral pathogen-infected cell or tissue, or malignantly or immunologically aberrant cells or tissues which has been reduced and/or denatured. The preferred composition is administered across a mucosal surface of an animal suffering or about suffer from infection. The composition is administered as preventive or therapeutic vaccine.

Abstract: Immunogenic preparations and vaccines, in particular which are inactivated, effective against feline calicivirosis, based on an FCV virus strain 431 as deposited at the CNCM under the accession number CNCM I-2166, or one of its equivalents, in a veterinarily acceptable vehicle or excipient, preferably combined with FCV virus obtained from another FCV strain, in particular strain G1 as deposited at the CNCM under the accession number CNCM I-2167.