The present invention relates to an immunogen-carrier, wherein the immunogen-carrier is preferably a virus-like particle (VLP) composed of a plurality of a modified PCV2 ORF2 protein. In particular, the present invention belongs to the field of compliance markers and marker vaccines which allow for the differentiation between infected and vaccinated individuals. In particular, it relates to a compliance marker for vaccines including a subunit antigen, and a DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) system which makes it possible to differentiate between animals infected with a pathogen and animals treated with a subunit antigen derived from said pathogen.

A non-naturally occurring porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is provided herein, and methods of making and using the non-naturally occurring PRRSV also are provided.

Herein a Bacillus exosporium antigen delivery (BEAD) system that provides a means to introduce recombinant proteins or small molecules into the exosporium of members of the B. cereus family of bacteria, i.e. B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, is disclosed. The system results in the surface display of recombinant proteins or small molecules such that they can stimulate an immune response. In addition, methods of making and using the system are described.

The present invention encompasses recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccines or compositions. In particular, the invention encompasses recombinant adenovirus vectors encoding and expressing PRRSV gp2, gp3, gp4, gp5a, gp5 and/or E antigens, proteins, epitopes or immunogens. Such vaccines or compositions can be used to protect animals from PRRSV.

The invention provides novel methods and compositions for the vaccination of porcine animals against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Described herein are immunological and/or vaccine compositions comprising a DNA vector encoding a PRRSV protein, particularly a truncated ORF7 protein, which are administered to porcines using needle-free delivery. The plasmid can include more than one nucleic acid molecule such that the plasmid can express more than one antigen. Also disclosed are methods for using and kits employing such compositions.

A traditional Chinese medicine immunopotentiator prepared from mulberry leaves polysaccharide and eucommia polysaccharide. The immunopotentiator can stimulate proliferation of chicken lymphocytes in vitro. When used together with newcastle disease vaccine to immunize chickens, the immunopotentiator can increase serum antibody titer, promote proliferation of lymphocytes, and enhance cellular immunity and humoral immunity of the chickens. When used together with porcine productive and respiratory syndrome vaccine to immunize piglets, the immunopotentiator can increase the serum antibody titer. When used together with the porcine productive and respiratory syndrome vaccine to immunize layers, the immunopotentiator can increase porcine productive and respiratory syndrome virus yolk antibody titer and improve immune effects of the vaccine.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating or preventing Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) infection in a subject.

The present invention belongs to the field of animal health and provides means to study Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease affecting swine, and for the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of PRRS. In a first consideration, the invention relates to a new PRRS virus variant, and, in a second consideration, to a nucleic acid sequence which comprises the genome of an infectious genotype I (EU) PRRS virus clone. Based on this, new PRRS vaccine candidates with improved properties are provided.

A method of quickly producing a vaccine for a biotype of pathogenic microorganism is described, where a nucleic acid molecule or fragment thereof is obtained from a biological sample from an animal exposed to the microorganism, a protective molecule is prepared based on the nucleic acid molecule of interest or fragment thereof, and administered to an animal which has been or is as risk of being exposed to the microorganism. A protective response to the biotype of the microorganism is obtained in the animal.

An improved method for recovering the protein expressed by open reading frame 2 from porcine circovirus type 2 is provided. The method generally involves the steps of transfecting recombinant virus containing open reading frame 2 coding sequences into cells contained in growth media, causing the virus to express open reading frame 2, and recovering the expressed protein in the supernate. This recovery should take place beginning approximately 5 days after infection of the cells in order to permit sufficient quantities of recombinant protein to be expressed and secreted from the cell into the growth media. Such methods avoid costly and time consuming extraction procedures required to separate and recover the recombinant protein from within the cells.