Abstract: A method of stimulating an immune response in a human or animal subject, which method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an attenuated herpes virus which:

Abstract: The present invention relates to (poly)peptides, which are recognized by anti-HHV8 antibodies of HHV-8 infected patients, whereby these (poly)peptides are not naturally occurring HHV-8 proteins. The present invention further relates to polymers, comprising at least two identical or different peptides according to the invention as well as conjugates, comprising said peptides and/or polymers thereof. Furthermore, this invention provides mixtures, comprising said peptides and/or polymers thereof, which are used to detect anti-HHV-8 antibodies with high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the present invention relates to a diagnostic kit, comprising said peptides, polymers and/or mixtures thereof, which can be used for the detection of anti-HHV-8 antibodies and for the diagnosis of an HHV-8 infection, respectively.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination, treatment, or protection, of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara.

Abstract: Described herein are peptide epitopes effective in the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV), as well as vaccines and other therapeutic compositions including the same. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may include a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant to enhance the delivery and/or pharmacological efficacy of the epitope. Also described are methods for treating and preventing HSV with the aforementioned epitopes, such as by administering a vaccine including the same. Other methods describe the use of the TEPITOPE algorithm to identify epitopes that may be useful in the treatment of HSV and related or unrelated disease conditions.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes a Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency-associated nuclear antigen 2 polypeptide (LANA2) or a fragment thereof and also provides the LANA2 polypeptide. This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising consecutive nucleotides having the sequence of a promoter of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency-associated nuclear antigen 2 transcription. This invention also provides a method of inhibiting p53 mediated apoptosis of a cell and a method of producing an antibody which comprises introducing into a cell a replicable vector of the subject invention.

Abstract: A cellular herpesvirus entry protein, or a mutant, a homolog, a derivative, a variant or a biologically active fragment thereof, suspended in a pharmaceutically active carrier in an amount effective to inhibit entry of an alphaherpesvirus into a cell, wherein the cellular herpesvirus entry protein is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is provided and method of use thereof

Abstract: This invention relates to Equine Herpes Viruses (EHV) wherein the protein gM is essentially absent or modified and non-functional with respect to its immunomodulatory capacity. Further aspects of the invention relate to nucleic acids coding said viruses, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these viruses or nucleic acids and uses thereof. The invention also relates to methods for improving the immune response induced by an EHV vaccine against wild type EHV infections, methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of EHV infections and methods for distinguishing wild type EHV infected animals from animals treated with EHV's according to the invention.

Abstract: Vaccines containing herpes simplex virus (HSV) VP22 polypeptides capable of eliciting a cellular immune response and methods for treating and preventing HSV infections using the vaccines are disclosed. The vaccines can include additional HSV polypeptides, such as HSV glycoproteins. Also disclosed are methods of DNA immunization.

Abstract: An avian infectious recombinant herpesvirus is prepared by inserting a foreign gene, in particular a heterologous antigen gene, into an insertion site in an untranslated genetic region in the genome. A chicken vaccine comprising such a recombinant virus is also provided.

Abstract: The components of this invention are chosen because of their complementarity for the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by the herpes simplex virus. L-Lysine favorably increases the physiologic immunomodulation necessary for defense against this virus. Zinc improves and maintains a normal immune response. 2-Deoxy-2-D-glucose and heparin sodium alter the surface interaction between the herpes virus and the cell, preventing fusion and infectivity. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine increases glutathione levels thereby creating a thiol redox barrier to the virus at the cell membrane. Quercetin reduces intracellular replication of the herpes virus and viral infectivity. Ascorbate, in concert with copper and D-&agr;-tocopherol, provides an antioxidant defense against the herpes virus, which tends to lose latency during period of oxidative, free radical excess. Selenium and quercetin also participate in reducing various oxidative stresses.

Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of peptides (and immunologically functional variants thereof) which are immunogenic epitopes recognized by CD8+ class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes of patients harboring latent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The peptides are capable of activating CTLs and CTLps in the absence of active viral replication, and thus are useful for eliciting a cellular immune response against HCMV by normal and immunodeficient subjects. Peptide and lipopeptide vaccines, with and without adjuvants, also are disclosed. Cellular vaccines comprising the peptides form a further embodiment of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting an agent for use in the treatment of herpes virus infection and use of known agents, such as 2,2′-dithiobisbenzamide (DIBA) and azodicarbonamide (ADA), and unknown agents, which selectively eject zinc bound to a zinc finger protein, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of herpesvirus infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant herpes simplex virus (HSV) viral vector genome which has substantially lost its transducing properties as a result of a DNA sequence change in the gene coding for Vmw65 protein and also comprises an expressable heterologous gene inserted into a region of the HSV genome which is non-essential for the culture of the virus, the gene being under the control of the immediate early (IE1) gene enhancer of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and to the use of the recombinant HSV genome in therapy and vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in a fetal sample by determining the presence of anti-hsp70 antibodies present in the fetal sample. The invention further provides a method for monitoring CMV infection in a human fetus. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting CMV in a cord blood sample of a neonate.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions comprising an oil-in-water emulsion optionally with 3 De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21. The vaccine compositions are potent inducers of a range of immune responses.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting CMV infection and dissemination in an animal, as well as in vitro and in vivo assay systems for identifying such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods directed to detecting antibodies that specifically bind to a varicella zoster polypeptide, detecting the presence of a varicella zoster virus in an animal, diagnosing a disease caused by varicella zoster virus, and detecting a varicella zoster virus having a single nucleotide polymorphism in ORF68. The present invention also provides a vaccine composition, a method for producing a modified attenuated varicella zoster virus, isolated polynucleotides, and isolated polypeptides, and viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adjuvant compositions which are suitable to be used in vaccines. In particular, the adjuvant compositions of the present invention comprises a saponin and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, optionally with a carrier. Also provided by the present invention are vaccines comprising the adjuvants of the present invention and an antigen. Further provided are methods of manufacture of the adjuvants and vaccines of the present invention and their use as medicaments. Methods of treating an individual susceptible to or suffering from a disease by the administration of the vaccines of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant herpesvirus of turkeys modified by the presence of cDNA encoding the F protein of Newcastle disease virus under the control of a promoter. The poultry vaccine consisting of the recombinant herpesvirus of turkeys of the present invention can induce in chickens protective immunity against Newcastle disease virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of an M. vaccae preparation for the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a chronic viral infection, excluding an HIV infection. Chronic viral infections include HPV infection, such as HPV infection associated with cervical dysplasia, herpes virus infection, subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis and hepatitis virus infection.

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 an avian recombinant herpesvirus modified by the presence of the cDNA encoding the VP2 of the Delaware Variant E strain of IBDV, a subtype of IBDV serotype I strains. The present invention further provides an avian recombinant herpesvirus comprised of the VP2 gene, of which the backbone virus is a Marek's disease vaccine strain, such as herpesvirus of turkeys. A poultry vaccine including the avian herpes recombinant virus described in the present invention can induce in chickens protective immunity against a variety of different subtypes of IBDV.

Abstract: A method of designing a new anti-CMV drug is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises (a) analyzing the binding of glycoprotein O to a glycoprotein O receptor and (b) designing a candidate drug that would competitively interfere with glycoprotein O binding to glycoprotein O receptor and (c) showing that the candidate drug competitively inhibits glycoprotein O binding to glycoprotein O receptor. A method of screening anti-CMV drugs, a vaccine effective to diminish CMV infection, and a method of diminishing CMV infection are also disclosed.

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: Use of a CHV antigen for the preparation of a vaccine against canine herpesvirosis, which is intended to be administered to gestating bitches as close as possible to whelping, preferably during the final third of gestation, and which produces a high level of anti-CHV antibodies in gestating bitches at the time of whelping, inducing protection in the puppies by transfer of antibodies during suckling. Inactivated anti-CHV vaccine or subunit vaccines, which can be used for vaccinating gestating bitches to protect the puppies by transfer of antibodies.

Abstract: A vaccine for the selective immunization of horses against EHV4 and/or EHV1 is provided comprising at least one of (i) EHV4 virus wherein a portion of the gG gene of the EHV4 virus that elicits a type-specific response to EHV4 has been deleted and (ii) EHV1 virus wherein a portion of the gG gene of the EHV1 virus that elicits a type-specific response to EHV1 has been deleted. Antibodies which specifically bind to a epitopes of EHV4 gG or EHV1 also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adjuvant compositions which are suitable to be used in vaccines. In particular, the adjuvant compositions of the present invention comprises a saponin and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, optionally with a carrier. Also provided by the present invention are vaccines comprising the adjuvants of the present invention and an antigen. Further provided are methods of manufacture of the adjuvants and vaccines of the present invention and their use as medicaments. Methods of treating an individual susceptible to or suffering from a disease by the administration of the vaccines of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A mutant virus for use as a vaccine, wherein the genome of the virus is defective in respect of a gene essential for the production of infectious virus. In one aspect the mutant virus is capable of protecting a susceptible species immunized therewith against infection by the corresponding wild-type virus. In another aspect, the mutant virus acts as a vector for an immunogenic protein derived from a pathogen and which is encoded by foreign DNA incorporated in the mutant virus. The mutant virus can be produced in a recombinant host cell which expresses a gene complementing the defect. The mutant virus is preferably infectious for the host to be protected, but the defective gene allows expression in the infected host of at least some of the viral genes, which can provoke a cell-mediated immune response.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of animal health, in particular equine diseases caused by equine herpesvirus (EHV). The invention relates to artificial chromosomes comprising the genome of equine herpesviruses, methods of producing attenuated or virulent EHV with or without the insertion of foreign genes, EHV obtainable with said methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said viruses.

Abstract: A method for producing a cellular immune response in a vertebrate subject comprising administering to the vertebrate subject a vaccine composition comprising a protein particle antigen and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of cdk inhibitors as inhibitors of microbial gene expression, replication and reactivation.

Abstract: A determination of the nucleotide sequence for the genome of Equine rhinovirus 1 (ERhV1), a horse-respiratory pathogen of heretofor uncertain taxonomic status, reveals a structure and predicted amino acid sequence that are more similar to those of foot-and-mouth disease viruses, the only members of the aphthovirus genus, than of other picornaviruses. These insights inform an understanding of ERhV1 virion proteins and virus-like particles, as well as the design of probes, primers, antigens, vectors, diagnostics and tests of relevance to ERhV1.

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 present invention provides methods directed to detecting antibodies that specifically bind to a varicella zoster polypeptide, detecting the presence of a varicella zoster virus in an animal, diagnosing a disease caused by varicella zoster virus, and detecting a varicella zoster virus having a single nucleotide polymorphism in ORF68. The present invention also provides a vaccine composition, a method for producing a modified attenuated varicella zoster virus, isolated polynucleotides, and isolated polypeptides, and viruses.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a Feline Herpesvirus (FHV) mutant comprising a heterologous gene or foreign DNA inserted into a section of the FHV genome. The invention also relates to a vector vaccine comprising a recombinant FHV mutant which expresses a heterologous polypeptide derived from a feline pathogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and induces an immune response in an inoculated host against both FHV and the feline pathogen.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the dominant cerebral hemisphere of a subject. There is further provided a method and system for using information obtained regarding hemisphere dominance for programming electronic devices such as robots, prostheses, as well as methods for using such information during treatment and surgical procedures in order to obtain superior function and/or movement when there is injury or disease to an area of the brain. A vectorial view of the role of callosum in the underpinning lateralities of speech and handedness, and as such, provides a technical definition of handedness (i.e., which hemisphere of the cerebrum is dominant in a particular individual subject). This technical definition is then used to completely accurately replicate or predict voluntary movements of the subject and this information, in turn, can be utilized in the field of prosthetics and robotics in order to obtain more accurate depiction of brain function and hence, more authentic replication of movement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies capable of specifically binding to and recognizing an antigenic determinant (epitope) of the protein kaposin or a derivative therof, hybridoma cell lines producing said monoclonal antibodies, diagnostic systems for the detection of the presence of a kaposin protein or a derivative thereof as well as antibodies directed against the kaposin protein or a derivative thereof, methods for detection of the expression of kaposin protein or a derivative thereof in a biological sample, methods for the detection of antibodies directed against kaposin protein or a derivative thereof, uses of the monoclonal antibodies provided according to the invention and uses of the kaposin protein or a derivative thereof, each in diagnostics and therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies capable of specifically binding to and recognizing an antigenic determinant (epitope) of the protein kaposin or a derivative therof, hybridoma cell lines producing said monoclonal antibodies, diagnostic systems for the detection of the presence of a kaposin protein or a derivative thereof as well as antibodies directed against the kaposin protein or a derivative thereof, methods for detection of the expression of kaposin protein or a derivative thereof in a biological sample, methods for the detection of antibodies directed against kaposin protein or a derivative thereof, uses of the monoclonal antibodies provided according to the invention and uses of the kaposin protein or a derivative thereof, each in diagnostics and therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated DNA molecule which is at least 30 nucleotides in length and which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. This invention provides an isolated herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. This invention provides an isolated peptide encoded by the isolated DNA molecule. Further, this invention provides an isolated DNA virus wherein the viral DNA is about 270 kb in size; wherein the DNA encodes a thymidine kinase; and wherein the viral DNA is capable of selectively hybridizing to a nucleic acid probe selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID NOs:10-12. This invention provides an antibody specific to the peptide. Antisense and triplex oligonucleotide molecules are also provided. This invention provides a transgenic nonhuman mammal and a cell line containing at least a portion of the isolated DNA molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a herpes virus strain capable of replicating in permissive cells which comprises a mutation which results in enhanced ICP0 expression compared to the parental virus without said mutation for use in a method of treatment of the human or animal body by therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides viral vectors (e.g., herpes viral vectors) and methods of using these vectors to treat disease.

Abstract: This invention pertains to vaccine compositions comprising a mixture of antigen, such as a herpes simplex virus antigen, and the interleukin IL-12, which may be adsorbed onto a mineral in suspension. These vaccine compositions modulate the protective immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mammalian cell lines which efficiently support the growth and productive infection of Marek's Disease Virus at high titers. The present invention also relates to mammalian cell lines which have been engineered to support the growth and productive infection of recombinant Marek's Disease Virus at high titers. The present invention relates a process for the preparation of Marek's Disease Virus in quantities suitable for vaccine purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of the viral helicase-primase enzyme complex with anti-herpes activity, and to medicaments containing these compounds in suitable formulation. The invention further describes a method for identifying substances with antiviral activity in order to treat herpes infections in humans and animals.

Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed for the prophylaxis against pathogenic development of atherosclerotic plaque in a mammalian subject susceptible thereto which consists essentially of a multiplicity of killed whole-virus strains, selected from the group consisting of: Herpes Simplex Virus 1; Herpes Simplex Virus 2; Herpes Simplex Virus 6; Human Cytomegalovirus; and Epstein-Barr Virus; in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable inert vaccine carrier or diluent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of expressing a nucleic acid or producing a proteinaceous composition encoded by a nucleic acid in vascular and cardiovascular cells by administration of a herpesvirus vector. The present invention provides methods of producing a therapeutic benefit in vascular and cardiovascular tissue by administration of a herpesvirus vector. In additional aspects, the invention concerns combination therapies for vascular and cardiovascular diseases comprising administration of a herpesvirus vector and treatment with at least one addition pharmacological agent or surgical procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. Disclosed herein are epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.

Abstract: A genetically disabled mutant virus has a genome which is defective in respect of a selected gene that is essential for the production of infectious new virus particles, and which carries heterologous genetic material encoding an immunomodulatory protein such as GM-CSF, IL-2, or others, such that the mutant virus can infect normal host cells and cause expression of immunomodulatory protein, but the mutant virus cannot cause production of infectious new virus particles except when the virus infects recombinant complementing host cells expressing a gene that provides the function of the essential viral gene; the site of insertion of the heterologous genetic material encoding the immunomodulatory protein preferably being at the site of the defect in the selected essential viral gene. Uses include prophylactic and therapeutic use in generating an immune response in a subject treated therewith; use in the preparation of an immunogen such as a vaccine for use in tumour therapy; use in the in-vitro expansion of (e.

Abstract: The invention relates to antigenic preparations and vaccines directed against the porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), comprising at least one porcine circovirus antigen, preferably type II, and at least one porcine parvovirus antigen.

Abstract: Novel combined vaccine compositions preferentially for administration to adolescents are provided, comprising a hepatitis B viral antigen and a herpes simplex viral antigen and optionally in addition one or more of the following: an EBV antigen, a hepatitis A antigen or inactivated attenuated virus, an HPV antigen, a VZV antigen, an HCMV antigen, a Toxoplasma gondii antigen. The vaccine compositions are formulated with an adjuvant which is a preferential stimulator of TH1 cell response such as 3D-MPL and QS21.