Recombinant raccoon pox viruses and their use as an effective vaccine against feline immunodeficiency virus infection.

摘要

The present invention provides recombinant raccoon pox viruses (RRPVs) useful in vaccines for the prophylaxis of disease caused by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). RRPV's according to the invention have at least one internal gene comprising a DNA sequence that encodes FIV gag protein (gag), or immunogenic fragments thereof. The vaccines that comprise one or more of the FIV-expressing recombinant raccoon poxviruses described above may also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. The invention also provides methods for preventing or lessening disease caused by FIV, which is carried out by administering to a feline in need of such treatment the vaccines described above.