The present invention discloses novel recombinant multivalent non-pathogenic Marek's Disease virus constructs that encode and express foreign antigens from three or more avian viruses, along with methods of the use of the multivalent poultry virus vaccines.

A vaccine delivery method is presented that includes a composition including as one component a slurry matrix that is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at physiological pH, physiological salt concentrations and/or physiological temperatures and as a second component one or more antigens. Also included are methods of inducing an immune response in a subject and vaccinating a subject by administering such compositions.

The invention relates to recombinant viral vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes for use in safe immunizations to protect against a variety of pathogens. The invention also relates to multivalent compositions or vaccine comprising one or more recombinant viral vectors for protection against a variety of pathogens. The present invention relates to methods of making an using said recombinant viral vectors.

The present disclosure provides a recombinant viral vector comprising at least one transgene inserted into a Marek's disease viral genome for treatment of diseases in poultry. Also provided are immunogenic compositions comprising such recombinant viral vectors and methods for preventing or inhibiting Marek's disease in combination with at least a second disease in poultry.

The present invention provides recombinant herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) vectors that contain and express antigens of avian pathogens, compositions comprising the recombinant HVT vectors and polyvalent vaccines comprising the recombinant HVT vectors. The present invention further provides methods of vaccination against a variety of avian pathogens and method of producing the recombinant HVT vectors.

The invention relates to a recombinant Gallid herpesvirus 3 vector encoding heterologous avian pathogen antigens comprising one or more heterologous polynucleotide(s) inserted into the intergenic loci UL3/UL4 and/or UL21/UL22. The invention further relates to vaccines comprising said recombinant Gallid herpesvirus 3 vector and optionally a further Marek's disease virus vector and to a use of the vaccine for protecting an avian species against one or more avian pathogens. Further methods for treating an avian species for protection against one or more diseases caused by avian pathogens and a method for producing the recombinant Gallid herpesvirus 3 vector encoding heterologous avian pathogen antigens is provided.

The present invention discloses novel recombinant multivalent non-pathogenic Marek's Disease virus constructs that encode and express foreign antigens from three or more avian viruses, along with methods of the use of the multivalent poultry virus vaccines.

A vaccine composition comprising a virus antigen wherein the composition comprises less than 5% serum, wherein the virus antigen is a whole virus or derived from a whole virus, the vaccine composition reduces, prevents or avoids cross-stitch spinal deformity in the treated animal. Said vaccine composition for use in a method of treating a disease caused by the intracellular pathogen in an animal and reducing, preventing or avoiding cross-stitch spinal deformity in the treated animal. In cross-stitch vertebra the intervertebral space is completely collapsed. A vaccine composition for use as defined above wherein the animal is a fish. In an embodiment the pathogen is salmon alpha virus (SAV).

The present invention relates to the use of a diluent for the in-use stabilisation of cells infected with a cell-associated alphaherpesvirus. Contrary to the long-standing practice of incorporating a considerable amount of peptone into the diluent for such virus-infected cells, it was found that a reduction of the amount of protein in the diluent improved the in-use stability of alphaherpesvirus-infected cells. Whereby the best stability was even obtained using a protein-free diluent. This effect was especially pronounced for recombinant HVT viruses expressing a heterologous insert. Being protein-free is highly advantageous for the production of the diluent, in respect of costs, safety, and consistency of production.

The present invention relates recombinant viruses and the uses thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to novel recombinant Marek's disease viruses encoding polypeptide(s) of interest, and their use to express or deliver such polypeptides to animals, particularly poultry. The invention is particularly suited to vaccinate poultry against avian pathogens.