Molecular cloning, expression and immunological analysis of the capsid precursor polypeptide (P1) from swine vesicular disease virus

Swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) is the aetiological agent of a highly contagious viral disease of pigs, whose symptoms are indistinguishable from those caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The gene coding for t he capsid protein precursor of SVDV (P1) from a recent spanish isolate (SPA /1/'93) was cloned and expressed in bacteria, and the antigenicity and immu nogenicity of the recombinant product were evaluated. The recombinant P1 wa s recognised by antibodies against SVDV induced in pigs infected experiment ally with different SVDV strains. Immunisation of swine with recombinant Pi -induced SVDV-specific cellular and humoral immune responses. The implicati ons of these results in SVD diagnostic as well as in vaccine development ar e discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.