SINGLE CAPRIPOXVIRUS RECOMBINANT VACCINE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CATTLEAGAINST RINDERPEST AND LUMPY SKIN-DISEASE

A recombinant capripoxvirus has been constructed containing a full-len gth cDNA of the fusion protein gene of rinderpest virus. The gene was inserted in the thymidine kinase gene of the capripox genome under the control of the vaccinia virus major late promoter p11 together with t he Escherichia coli gpt gene in the opposite orientation under the con trol of the vaccinia early/late promoter p7.5. A vaccine prepared from this recombinant virus protected cattle against clinical rinderpest a fter a lethal challenge with a virulent virus isolate. In addition, th e vaccine protected the cattle against lumpy skin disease.