Beak and feather disease virus sequences, compositions and vaccines and the use thereof in therapy, diagnosis and assays

摘要

The invention describes isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the genome and coat protein of Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV). Primers for detecting these sequences are also disclosed. The sequences can be used as DNA vaccines against circovirus infections or can be expressed to produce proteins or immunogenic protein fragments which can be included in vaccine compositions which are protective against circovirus infections. Antibodies produced in subjects immunised with the vaccine can also be used in a vaccine or assay. An assay for detecting a circovirus infection is also disclosed.