IMMUNOGENIC AND PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF HEMAGGLUTININ PROTEIN (H) OFRINDERPEST-VIRUS EXPRESSED BY A RECOMBINANT BACULOVIRUS

The hemagglutinin (H) protein of Rinderpest virus expressed by a recom binant buculovirus used as a vaccine produced high titres of neutraliz ing antibody to Rinderpest virus in the vaccinated cattle, comparable to the levels produced by live attenuated vaccine. The immunized cattl e were protected against a vaccine-virus challenge, as demonstrated by the failure of development of antibodies to N protein of the vaccine virus. The lack of replication of vaccine virus in the immunized cattl e indicated that they are capable of showing a protective response if challenged with a virulent virus. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.