Hepatitis A virus deletion mutants and vaccine formulations containing the same

摘要

Disclosed are live hepatitis A virus deletion mutants having a deletion mutation in the 5' nontranslated region of the viral genome. The deletion mutation may be selected from the group consisting of (a) pY1 deletion mutations that cause the virus to retain the ability to replicate in monkey kidney cells; and (b) deletion mutations between nucleotides 140 and 144 that render the virus temperature sensitive. Advantageously, the deletion mutation may be an attenuating mutation. Pharmaceutical formulations containing such viruses are disclosed, along with the use thereof to produce antibodies useful for diagnostic purposes and for imparting protective immunity against hepatitis A virus.