The invention relates to the field of veterinary medicine. The invention provides an immunogenic composition, comprising a hemagglutinin protein of avian influenza virus H5 subtype. Also provided is a method of differentiating animals naturally infected with AIV from animals vaccinated with the immunogenic composition of the invention. The immunogenic composition of the invention can provide a broader, more effective, long-lasting and early onset protection on poultry.

Provided are surprisingly effective methods for inactivating pathogens, and for producing highly immunogenic vaccine compositions containing an inactivated pathogen rendered noninfectious by exposure to a Fenton reagent, or by exposure to a Fenton reagent or a component thereof in combination with a methisazone reagent selected from the group consisting of methisazone, methisazone analogs, functional group(s)/substructure(s) of methisazone, and combinations thereof. The methods efficiently inactivate pathogens, while substantially retaining pathogen antigenicity and/or immunogenicity, and are suitable for inactivating pathogens, or for the preparation of vaccines for a wide variety of pathogens with genomes comprising RNA or DNA, including viruses and bacteria. Also provided are highly immunogenic inactivated vaccine compositions prepared by using any of the disclosed methods, and methods for eliciting an immune response in a subject by administering such vaccine compositions.

The present disclosure discloses a whole avian-origin reverse genetic system, a recombinant H5N2 subtype avian influenza virus, a vaccine containing the virus, and a preparation method and application thereof. The genome of the recombinant virus is comprised of a modified HA gene derived from a highly pathogenic H5N6 subtype avian influenza virus strain, as well as PB2, PB1, PA, NP, NA, M and NS genes derived from H5N2 subtype avian influenza D7 virus strain. The recombinant virus is a recombinant H5N2 avian influenza virus rescued from the D7 virus strain as a backbone, which is an avirulent virus strain with the original immunogenicity, and can maintain a high virus titer during the chick embryo culture process. The recombinant virus fully meets the biological safety requirements and has a good application prospect.

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.

Provided are surprisingly effective methods for inactivating pathogens, and for producing highly immunogenic vaccine compositions containing an inactivated pathogen rendered noninfectious by exposure to a Fenton reagent, or by exposure to a Fenton reagent or a component thereof in combination with a methisazone reagent selected from the group consisting of methisazone, methisazone analogs, functional group(s)/substructure(s) of methisazone, and combinations thereof. The methods efficiently inactivate pathogens, while substantially retaining pathogen antigenicity and/or immunogenicity, and are suitable for inactivating pathogens, or for the preparation of vaccines for a wide variety of pathogens with genomes comprising RNA or DNA, including viruses and bacteria. Also provided are highly immunogenic inactivated vaccine compositions prepared by using any of the disclosed methods, and methods for eliciting an immune response in a subject by administering such vaccine compositions.

Provided herein is a method for producing an inactivated virus including a) heating the virus to a temperature sufficient to disrupt the virus membrane; b) exposing the virus of step (a) to a nucleic acid degrading enzyme; and c) cooling the virus to a temperature sufficient to reestablish the integrity of the virus membrane. Also provided herein is a vaccine produced using the instant method.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for collecting, transporting, and storing, preferably without refrigeration, biological materials, which may comprise samples of biological, clinical, forensic, and/or environmental origin. Compositions preserve the fidelity and/or viability of the collected organisms and/or macromolecules in the sample and permit long-term storage. Compositions are compatible with manipulation of the sample, including propagation and culture of the microorganisms, or isolation, purification, detection, and characterization of macromolecules. Compositions containing microorganisms or macromolecules can be further processed, for example, by nucleic acid testing with greater fidelity and detection as compared to conventional microbial transport media. In particular, the compositions disclosed allow for the safe collection, transport and storage of biological samples for extended periods at ambient temperature, while maintaining the integrity of the macromolecules of the sample for subsequent extraction, identification, and quantitation.

Provided herein is a method for producing an inactivated virus including a) heating the virus to a temperature sufficient to disrupt the virus membrane; b) exposing the virus of step (a) to an RNA degrading enzyme; and c) cooling the virus to a temperature sufficient to reestablish the integrity of the virus membrane. Also provided herein is a vaccine produced using the instant method.

Provided are surprisingly effective methods for inactivating pathogens, and for producing highly immunogenic vaccine compositions containing an inactivated pathogen rendered noninfectious by exposure to a Fenton reagent, or by exposure to a Fenton reagent or a component thereof in combination with a methisazone reagent selected from the group consisting of methisazone, methisazone analogs, functional group(s)/substructure(s) of methisazone, and combinations thereof. The methods efficiently inactivate pathogens, while substantially retaining pathogen antigenicity and/or immunogenicity, and are suitable for inactivating pathogens, or for the preparation of vaccines for a wide variety of pathogens with genomes comprising RNA or DNA, including viruses and bacteria. Also provided are highly immunogenic inactivated vaccine compositions prepared by using any of the disclosed methods, and methods for eliciting an immune response in a subject by administering such vaccine compositions.

A number of improvements for preparing vaccine antigens from disintegrated influenza viruses are disclosed. A splitting step can be followed by detergent exchange. Splitting can take place in the presence of a buffer with a higher ionic strength and/or in the presence of phosphate buffer.