Patent ID: 7776537

Claim:
A method of preparing a vaccine composition containing PRRS virus proteins and antigens from PRRS virus infected cells, said method comprising a) providing a population of cells that have been infected with PRRS virus, wherein said cells produce viral proteins and antigens encoded by PRRS virus so that the majority of viral proteins and antigens encoded by the PRRS virus are either within the infected cells or associated with the cell membrane of the infected cells; b) isolating the PRRS virus infected cells, away from cell-free PRRS virus in the culture medium about the cells, to form isolated cells containing cell associated viral proteins and antigens encoded by PRRS virus; c) extracting or eluting the isolated cells with a detergent containing solution to form an extract or eluate containing the cell associated viral proteins and antigens along with cellular components; and d) combining said extract or eluate with an adjuvant to form a vaccine composition that protects a pig against PRRS virus infection.