We have cloned cDNAs representing two alleles of one bovine Mx gene, and are in the process of evaluating their antiviral activities. We are also working to characterize the patterns of Mx expression in cattle and horses undergoing viral infections. A DNA Vaccine for Immunization Against Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that causes periodic havoc in populations of cattle, horses and swine, and occasionally infects people. Infected animals develop vesicles in the oral cavity and other sites, and, although mortality rates are low, the presence of the disease leads to rapid invocation of quarantines, severe limitations on animal movements, and significant economic loss to livestock producers. In order for a vaccination to be useful for control of vesicular stomatitis, one must be able to differentiate vaccinated from previously infected animals.
Additional forms are the vaccine are currently being developed.