| abstract |
Disclosed and claimed are recombinants or vectors including at least one nucleotide sequence encoding an immunogen or epitope or epitopic region thereof of avian leukosis virus of subgroup J, such as a recombinant MDV; for instance, a recombinant HVT. The recombinant or vector can express the immunogen, epitope or epitopic region; and, the immunogen can be the Env glycoprotein (gp85 and gp37) and/or the gag/pol proteins. The nucleotide sequence can be in the BamHI I or M fragment of the HVT genome; for instance in one of intergenic zones 1, 2, and 3 or in ORF UL55 or in ORF UL43. The nucleotide sequence can be under the control of a promoter such as a CMV-IE promoter. The recombinant can include at least one additional nucleotide sequence coding for an immunogen or epitope or epitopic region thereof of another avian leukosis of subgroup J and/or another avian pathogen. The recombinant can also include a nucleotide sequence encoding an immunomodulator such as an avian cytokine. Immunogenic, immunological or vaccine compositions containing inventive recombinants, as well as methods for immunizing fowl or for inducing an immunological response in birds, are also disclosed and claimed; and, kits for preparing such compositions are also envisioned. |