vaccine

• What is the main focus of the lecture notes?

  Vaccines against Viral Diseases
• What are the types of vaccines discussed?

  • Live-attenuated virus vaccines
  • Nonreplicating virus vaccines
  • Vaccines using recombinant DNA technologies
• What is a characteristic of live-attenuated virus vaccines?

  They elicit a lasting immune response
• How do live-attenuated virus vaccines mimic infections?

  They mimic a subclinical infection
• What are the methods of attenuation for viruses?

  • Avirulent viruses in heterologous species
  • Serial passage in cultured cells
  • Serial passage in heterologous hosts
  • Selection of mutants and reassortants
• What are nonreplicating virus vaccines also known as?

  Inactivated (Killed) Whole Virions
• What is a key feature of inactivated whole virion vaccines?

  They maintain immunogenicity after being killed
• What is the role of chemical adjuvants in inactivated vaccines?

  To enhance immune response
• How are purified native viral proteins obtained?

  Using lipid solvents to solubilize the virion
• What are the novel technologies for vaccine production?

  • Attenuation by gene deletion or mutagenesis
  • Subunit vaccines from viral proteins
  • Virus-like particles (VLPs)
  • Viruses as vectors for heterologous antigens
  • DNA vaccines using bacterial plasmids
• What is the purpose of gene deletion in virus attenuation?

  To reduce virulence by removing nonessential genes
• What are subunit vaccines produced from?

  Expression of viral proteins using vectors
• What are virus-like particles (VLPs)?

  Capsid proteins that self-assemble
• Why are recombinant VLPs considered safe?

  They are devoid of viral nucleic acid
• What is the function of DNA vaccines?

  To introduce DNA encoding an antigen
• What are the uses of serological tests?

  • Define past infections
  • Link viruses to clinical events
  • Assess vaccination responses
• What is the purpose of the Enzyme Immunoassay (ELISA)?

  To determine viral antibodies qualitatively or quantitatively
• What is a key advantage of ELISA?

  It is rapid and cost-effective
• What is the principle of the serum neutralization assay?

  Antibodies bind to infectious virus, preventing infection
• What does immunoblotting measure?

  Antibodies against several proteins simultaneously
• What are the key steps in immunoblotting?

  1. Protein separation using SDS Page
  2. Transfer proteins to membrane
  3. Treat with blocking agent
  4. Primary antibody incubation
  5. Secondary antibody incubation
  6. Visualize signal
• What is the hemagglutination-inhibition assay used for?

  To test viruses that hemagglutinate red blood cells
• What does the hemagglutination-inhibition titer represent?

  The highest serum dilution that inhibits agglutination
• What is the purpose of immunodiffusion assays?

  For specific diagnosis of viral infections
• What is the Coggins test used for?

  Detecting antibodies to Equine Infectious Anemia
• What type of result does the immunodiffusion assay provide?

  Strictly qualitative yes/no answer
• What are the key features of serological diagnosis?

  • Measures humoral immunity
  • Valuable for defining infection status
  • Assesses vaccination responses