Use of a modified poxvirus for the rapid induction of immunity against a poxvirus or other infectious agents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the rapid induction of a protective immune response against infectious agents using a poxvirus. An immune response can be induced by administering the poxvirus 7 to 2 days prior to infection with the infections agents.

1 . A method for inducing a immune response against an infectious agent in an animal, comprising administering to the animal an immunogenic composition comprising an MVA at 7 to 2 days prior to infection with the infectious agent. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infectious agent is a replication competent poxvirus. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the MVA is administered in a dose of 10 5  to 5×10 8  TCID 50 /ml. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the MVA is administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the MVA is MVA-BN. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the MVA is a recombinant MVA. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the MVA comprises at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence coding for at least one antigenic epitope. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the antigenic epitope is an antigenic epitope of the infectious agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the infectious agent is selected from viruses, fungi, pathogenic unicellular eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms, and parasitic organisms. 
     
     
         11 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A kit comprising an immunogenic composition comprising an MVA and instructions to administer the immunogenic composition to an animal at a time point between 7 and 2 days prior to exposure to an infectious agent. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the MVA is MVA-BN at dose of 10 5  to 5×10 8  TCID 50 /ml. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the infectious agent is smallpox. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the infectious agent is bacillus anthracis. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the MVA is a recombinant MVA. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 19 , comprising instructions to deliver the immunogenic composition at a time point between 6 and 2 days prior to exposure to an infectious agent. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 19 , comprising instructions to deliver the immunogenic composition at a time point between 5 and 2 days prior to exposure to an infectious agent. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 19 , comprising instructions to deliver the immunogenic composition at a time point between 4 and 2 days prior to exposure to an infectious agent. 
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 19 , comprising instructions to deliver the immunogenic composition at a time point between 3 and 2 days prior to exposure to an infectious agent.