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.

Multiple DIVA vaccines effective against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are disclosed. The DIVA vaccines may be negative DIVAs or positive DIVAs. The DIVA vaccines may be produced by modifying the nsp2 region of a modified live virus vaccine. The modification may be one or more deletions only (negative DIVAs) or a deletion with an insertion (positive DIVAs). The insertion may be of an epitope tag, such as a V5, S-Tag, or FLAG tag. Produced DIVA vaccines may be stable through multiple passes and thus may be effective for production and vaccination of animals.

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.

The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, methods to make it and related polypeptides, polynucleotides, and various components. Vaccines comprising the genetically modified virus and polynucleotides and a diagnostic kit to distinguish between naturally infected and vaccinated animals are also provided.

The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, methods to make it and related polypeptides, polynucleotides, and various components. Vaccines comprising the genetically modified virus and polynucleotides and a diagnostic kit to distinguish between naturally infected and vaccinated animals are also provided.

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.

An improved method for recovering the protein expressed by open reading frame 2 from porcine circovirus type 2 is provided. Also provided is recombinant PCV2 ORF2 protein, and immunogenic compositions comprising PCV2 ORF2 protein. Moreover, multivalent combination vaccines are provided which include an immunological agent effective for reducing the incidence of or lessening the severity of PCV2 infection, preferably PCV2 ORF2 protein, or an immunogenic composition comprising PCV2 ORF2 protein, and at least one immunogenic active component of another disease-causing organism in swine.

The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, methods to make it and related polypeptides, polynucleotides, and various components. Vaccines comprising the genetically modified virus and polynucleotides and a diagnostic kit to distinguish between naturally infected and vaccinated animals are also provided.

The present invention relates to a combination vaccine for swine, comprising non-replicating antigen from porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), and live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV); the combination vaccine is formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion, and is adjuvated with squalane and vitamin E-acetate. This combination vaccine was found to be immunologically effective against all pathogens: PCV2, and PRRSV.

The present invention relates to compositions or vaccines for combating Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M hyo), Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2), and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) infections in animals and for increasing the ability of pigs to gain weight and/or improve death loss, methods of vaccination against the infections, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.