Veterinary applications of antiviral research Farm animals are linked to the economic development of a significant segment of the EU's population. Their health and protection from infectious diseases is therefore a key priority among a number of research groups across the member states. Health © PhotoDisc The coronavirus and rotavirus families have been implicated in a series of enteric pathologic states in farm animals. Researchers have tried to develop novel therapeutic/ prophylactic approaches based on the induction of immune responses to viral, non-pathogenic, antigens. The first step in this approach was the construction of a eukaryotic vector based on a single genome coronavirus. The expression of the vector was studied extensively with the aim of eliminating non-essential genetic material from the final product. Following that step, researchers were able to replace non-essential genes with antigen-encoding genes, able to elicit immune responses in treated animals. Studies included the evaluation of induced prophylaxis against porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) in pigs. The vector was constructed to express the PRRSV OFR5 antigen and results showed a strong and safe antibody immune response in immunised pigs. Similar vectors could be very useful in the development of novel, safe and efficacious veterinary vaccines offering complete protection against viral challenge.
