Leadd B.v.

Centraal Diergeneeskundig Instituut

Aesculaap B.v.

Gerben F De Boer

Matheus Hubertus Noteborn

Matheus H M Noteborn

Recombinant genetic information (DNA or RNA), comprising a Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV)-specific nucleotide sequence and the use thereof for diagnostics, vaccination or protein production. Recombinant CAV protein and the use thereof for diagnostics, vaccination or production of CAV-specific antibodies. The use of CAV-specific antibodies thus obtained.

Cloning of chicken anemia virus DNA

Cloning of chicken anaemia DNA

The invention relates to a highly immunogenic virus preparation derived by attenuation employing serial passages in avian cell cultures and six plaque purification steps from a Marek's disease virus strain, belonging to Avian Herpesvirus serotype-1. The original virus strain MDV CVI-988 was recovered from a healthy chicken (Avian Diseases 16: 108-125, 1972). The live purified Marek's disease vaccine so obtained is innocuous for specific pathogen free Rhode Island Red chickens which are highly susceptible for development of Marek's disease tumors. The monovalent virus preparation, according to the invention, demonstrated in comparison with Marek's disease vaccines based on the same strain, currently in use at a lower cell passage level, an improved protective efficacy against challenge infection by two representatives of virulent Marek's disease virus. The monovalent virus preparation, according to the invention, provided significantly better protection than current MDV CVI-988 vaccine to challenge infection with a representative of the group of newly emerging very virulent strains of Marek's disease virus, MDV RB/1B. The monovalent virus preparation, according to the invention, provided significantly better protection than is HVT FC126 vaccine to challenge infection with another representative of the group of very virulent MD viruses, MDV Tun.

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Lelystad, Netherlands

Gerben F De Boer