Recombinant Vaccines for Animal Use

RECOMBINANT VACCINE FOR ANIMAL USE
  • Several commercially available recombinant vaccines used on animals employ a vector based delivery system. These include the VRG vaccine, which protects animals against rabies, and the Purevax recombinant feline leukaemia vaccine.
  • As mentioned above, the VRG vaccine consists of a recombinant Vaccinia virus that carries the gene for a rabies glycoprotein. The virus has been modified in several ways, one of which involves the removal of the thymidine kinase gene, making it safer to administer than in its original form. Studies have shown that it has not caused any side effects in over 10 avian species and 35 mammalian species.
  • The Purevax leukaemia vaccine contains a harmless recombinant canarypox virus that incorporates the FeLV gene. This gene produces a protein identical to that produced by the FeLV (feline leukaemia) virus, with the result that the cat's immune response is triggered without the danger of the actual virus being introduced. The canarypox virus is also used as a vector in dog and ferret vaccines.
Last modified: Tuesday, 15 May 2012, 7:42 AM