Circovirus sequences associated with piglet weight loss disease (PWD)

Abstract

The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-strucutral polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A vaccine comprising a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof, and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle.  
     
     
         2 . A vaccine according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from SEQ ID No. 15 or SEQ ID No. 19.  
     
     
         3 . A vaccine according to  claim 1 , wherein the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 15 or SEQ ID No. 19.  
     
     
         4 . A vaccine according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25, or a homologue or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         5 . A vaccine according to  claim 4 , wherein the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25.  
     
     
         6 . A vaccine according to  claim 4 , wherein the nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID No. 25.  
     
     
         7 . A vaccine comprising a polypeptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence of the genome of PCVB, or a homologue or fragment thereof, and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . A vaccine according to  claim 7 , wherein the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 15 or SEQ ID No. 19.  
     
     
         9 . A vaccine according to  claim 7 , wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25, or a homologue or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A vaccine according to  claim 9 , wherein the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 23 or SEQ ID No. 25.  
     
     
         11 . A vaccine according to  claim 9 , wherein the nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID No. 25.  
     
     
         12 . A vaccine according to  claim 7 , wherein the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 24 or SEQ ID No. 26.  
     
     
         13 . A vaccine according to  claim 12 , wherein the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 26.  
     
     
         14 . A vaccine according to  claim 7 , wherein the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 24 or SEQ ID No. 26.  
     
     
         15 . A vaccine according to  claim 14 , wherein the homologue has at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 26.  
     
     
         16 . A vaccine according to  claim 7 , wherein the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 29, SEQ ID No. 30, SEQ ID No. 31, or SEQ ID No. 32.  
     
     
         17 . A vaccine comprising a vector and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle, the vector comprising a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A vaccine according to  claim 17 , further comprising a gene coding for an expression product capable of inhibiting or retarding the establishment or development of a genetic or acquired disease.  
     
     
         19 . A vaccine comprising a cell and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle, wherein the cell is transformed with a nucleotide sequence of the genome of Porcine circovirus type B, or a homologue or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A vaccine according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adjuvant.  
     
     
         21 . A vaccine comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and a single polypetide, wherein the single polypeptide consists of SEQ ID No. 26.  
     
     
         22 . A method of immunizing a mammal against piglet weight loss disease comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of the vaccine of any one of claims  1 - 21 .  
     
     
         23 . (New) An insolated preparation of type B porcine circovirus.  
     
     
         24 . (New) A preparation of porcine circovirus produced on, and isolated from cells in cell culture in vitro, these cells having been infected with a porcine circovirus capable of being isolated from a physiological sample or from a tissue sample, especially lesions, from a pig having PMWS.  
     
     
         25 . (New) A preparation of porcine circovirus according to  claim 24 , produced on, and isolated from a pig kidney cell line.  
     
     
         26 . (New) A DNA fragment containing an ORF selected from the group consisting of ORF′1, ORF′2 and ORF′3.  
     
     
         27 . (New) A DNA fragment according to  claim 26  comprising the ORF of ORF′1.  
     
     
         28 . (New) A polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 15.  
     
     
         29 . (New) An in vitro expression vector comprising the DNA sequence of ORF′1 (SEQ ID NO. 23).  
     
     
         30 . (New) A polypeptide produced by an expression vector of  claim 29 .  
     
     
         31 . (New) A vaccine comprising a polypeptide produced by an in vitro expression vector comprising the DNA sequence of ORF′1 (SEQ ID NO. 23).  
     
     
         32 . (New) An in vivo expression vector comprising the DNA sequence of ORF′1 (SEQ ID NO. 23).  
     
     
         33 . (New) A plasmid vaccine comprising an expression vector of  claim 32  and an acceptable pharmaceutical or veterinary vehicle.  
     
     
         34 . (New) A method of detecting porcine circovirus, in which, in a sample of physiological fluid or a sample of tissue of a pig to be tested, a test is carried out for the presence of an antigen by seeking to detect either the antigen itself or the antibodies directed against this antigen.  
     
     
         35 . (New) A vaccine according to claims  31  or  33  comprising antigens of several porcine circoviruses.  
     
     
         36 . (New) A probe or primer comprising all or part of a sequence of the DNA fragment of  claim 26 .  
     
     
         37 . (New) A polyclonal or monoclonal antibody prepared from a polypeptide produced by an expression vector comprising the DNA sequence of ORF′1 (SEQ ID NO. 23), ORF′2 (SEQ ID NO. 25) or ORF′3 (SEQ ID NO. 27).