Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Kansas State University Research Foundation

Shafiqul Islam Chowdhury

Hui Yong Wei

The application describes recombinant BoHV-1 triple mutant viruses that express protective antigens of other bovine respiratory viruses associated with Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC).

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) vector against bovine respiratory disease complex

Methods, compositions, devices, and kits are described herein that are useful for detecting BoHV-1 infection in animals and/or for distinguishing animals that may benefit from administration of BoHV-1 tmv vaccine.

Bovine herpesvirus detection and treatment

A BHV-1 mutant virus has been made that incorporates into a single virus two or more deletions in one or more of three genes&#x2014;glycoprotein N, glycoprotein E and Us9. Specifically, a BHV-1 U49.5&#x394;30-32 CT-null virus was made and tested. This mutant virus was then used to incorporate additional changes, e.g., the glycoprotein E cytoplasmic-tail deletion, the Us9 deletion, or both. This triple mutant BHV-1 U49.5&#x394;30-32 CT-null/gE CT&#x394;/Us9&#x394; virus will be superior to the current BHV-1 mutants because the mutant virus will not be shed following reactivation, will be a DIVA based on gE CT-specific serum antibodies, and will induce better protective response by inducing higher SN titers and better cellular immune response. This new virus will have sufficient viral replication in the nasal epithelium and will be a good vaccine for protection of cattle from BHV-1. The new mutant viruses can also be used as vectors for exogenous genes.

Bovine herpes virus vaccine with multiple mutations

A safe live recombinant virus as well as a vaccine is produced by the deletion of a portion of the native glycoprotein E (gE) coding region of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) followed by the insertion of a plasmid including a foreign functional &bgr;-gal at the gE locus. The deletion of gE gene stably attenuates the virus and serves as an immunological marker differentiating vaccinated animals from infected animals. Moreover, production of &bgr;-gal allows easy assessment of gE&Dgr;3.1IBR&bgr; virus replication in vaccinated animals and serves as a phenotypic marker which distinguishes it from wild type virus replication in infected animals.

BHV-1 gene-deleted virus vaccine

The disclosed invention is directed to (1) recombinant bovine herpesvirus genes having foreign genes inserted therein, (2) infectious recombinant bovine herpesviruses carrying these recombinant genes, (3) methods of producing these recombinant bovine herpesviruses, (4) methods of immunizing animals against diseases caused by bovine herpesviruses using these recombinant bovine herpesviruses as vaccines, and (5) methods of detecting infection of an animal by these recombinant bovine herpesviruses. In its preferred form, the invention is directed to the construction of an infectious recombinant bovine herpesvirus type 1 having a functional &bgr;-galactosidase gene inserted in and thereby inactivating the thymidine kinase gene (e.g., Gal-TK); infection of an animal with the resultant avirulent vaccine virus is detected by assaying the animal's respiratory secretions for the presence of virus having &bgr;-galactosidase activity in host cells.

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Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Shafiqul Islam Chowdhury