Osaka University

The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases

Juichiro Osame

Iwao Yoshida

Keisuke Takaku

Takeo Konobe

Akihisa Takamizawa

Chisato Mori

Sadao Manabe

Masashi Chazono

Kuniaki Koyama

Isao Fuke

Konosuke Fukai

Yasuyuki Gomi

Hiroyuki Fujita

Rie Takahara

Masahiko Kato

Toyokazu Ishikawa

Method for identifying attenuated chickenpox virus Oka strain or strain

A stabilized live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, wherein the vaccine is substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions is described. This stabilized live vaccine is excellent in storage stability and heat resistance. Also described is an improved stabilizer for a live varicella vaccine, comprising at least gelatin or hydrolyzed gelatin, each being substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. The stabilizer can advantageously be used to stabilize a live vaccine containing a varicella virus. The substantial freedom of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions can be attained by masking Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions present in a live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, with a chelating reagent, or by using as a stabilizer gelatin and/or a gelatin derivative after being purified to remove Ca.sup.2+ ions and/or Mg.sup.2+ ions contained therein.

Stabilized live vaccine

Disclosed is a stabilized live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, wherein the vaccine is substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. This stabilized live vaccine is extremely excellent in storage stability and heat resistance. Also disclosed is an improved stabilizer for a live varicella vaccine, comprising at least one member selected from gelatin and hydrolyzed gelatin, each being substantially free of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions. The stabilizer can advantageously be used to stabilize a live vaccine containing a varicella virus. The substantial freedom of Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions can be attained by masking Ca.sup.2+ ions and Mg.sup.2+ ions present in a live vaccine containing a varicella virus and a stabilizer, with a chelating reagent, or by using as a stabilizer gelatin and/or a gelatin derivative after being purified to remove Ca.sup.2+ ions and/or Mg.sup.2+ ions contained therein.

There is disclosed an antigen comprising an amino acid sequence of the suce antigen of a hepatitis B virus. The present antigen can be produced easily and safely at low cost by means of recombinant DNA technique. The present antigen can be used as an effective vaccine and diagnostic for hepatitis B.

Process for expressing the hepatitis B virus antigen using a

There is provided a recombinant Marek's disease virus comprising the genomic DNA of an attenuated Marek's disease virus and a foreign gene from another source. The present recombinant virus can advantageously be used as an active ingredient for a multifunctional live vaccine, exhibiting not only the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the Marek's disease virus but also the properties ascribed to the foreign gene. Since the suitable host cell for the recombinant virus of the present invention is an avian cell which is available in a large quantity and not expensive, the recombinant virus of the present invention can be produced efficiently at low cost on a commercial scale.

Recombinant Marek's disease virus and vaccine

There is disclosed a method for culturing Bordetella pertussis in the presence of a cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. The present method is useful for obtaining a mixed antigen comprising pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in a large amount at low cost. From the antigen, there can be obtained a stable and effective pertussis toxoid to be used for a pertussis vaccine. There is also disclosed a vaccine comprising the pertussis toxoid as an active ingredient and a gelatin and/or gelatin derivatives as a stabilizing agent. The present vaccine is extremely stable and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.

Method for culturing Bordetella pertussis, a pertussis toxoid and a

There is disclosed a method for culturing Bordetella pertussis in the prece of a cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. The present method is useful for obtaining a mixed antigen comprising pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in a large amount at low cost. From the antigen, there can be obtained a stable and effective pertussis toxoid to be used for a pertussis vaccine. There is also disclosed a vaccine comprising the pertussis toxoid as an active ingredient and a gelatin and/or gelatin derivatives as a stabilizing agent. The present vaccine is extremely stable and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.

Method for culturing bordetella pertussis, a pertussis toxoid and a

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Mitoyo-gun, Japan

Juichiro Osame