Author
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Mengeling, William |
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Brockmeier, Susan |
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Lager, Kelly |
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Vorwald, Ann |
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Submitted to: International Symposium Eradication of Aujeszky's Disease (Pseudorabies)
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/1995 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: One of the notable accomplishments of modern-day molecular biology is the construction of recombinant viruses that contain and express foreign genes. Among the most useful applications of such recombinants are as monovalent and multivalent vaccines for pathogenic viruses of veterinary and medical importance, especially in cases when conventional vaccines either are unavailable or are of insufficient potency. When used as a vaccine, the ideal recombinant is one that is avirulent and can express its complement of one or more foreign genes at the most effective site to stimulate protective immunity. In general, the finite capacity of virus vectors limits insertions of foreign genes to only those that code for the major proteins involved in protective immunity. While this limitation may be disadvantageous in trying to develop better vaccines for complex and/or poorly characterized viruses, the option of gene selection also has some practical advantages. For example, the inclusion of only one or a few genes leaves all other proteins of the virus for which the vaccine is being developed as candidates for use in differential diagnostic tests, i.e. tests that identify exposure to the corresponding field virus regardless of vaccination history. Viruses that have received the most attention as vectors are poxviruses, often vaccinia virus, and adenoviruses. Our discussion on the use of biotechnologically engineered vaccines and diagnostics in pseudorabies (PR) eradication will focus mainly on selected characteristics of these two vectors (adenoviruses and vaccinia) and their application in the development of PR vaccines. |
