Methods for preventing or ameliorating West Nile encephalitis
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a safe and effective vaccine composition against West Nile virus disease. An immunogenically active component of West Nile virus or plasmid DNA, an adjuvant such as a metabolizable oil, and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier are formulated into an immunizing vaccine. The invention also provides a method for the prevention or amelioration of West Nile disease, such as encephalitis, in equidae by administering the vaccine composition herein set forth.
1. A method for the prevention or amelioration of West Nile encephalitis in equidae which comprises administering to said equidae a vaccine composition which comprises an effective immunizing amount of an inactivated whole West Nile virus; an immunogenically stimulating amount of a metabolizable oil; and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier, wherein said vaccine composition is effective in equidae against West Nile infection for up to twelve months and said inactivated West Nile virus is strain VM-2 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-6860 or a subculture thereof.
2. The method according to claim 1 having said vaccine composition wherein the metabolizable oil is SP oil.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said equidae are horses.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said horses are pregnant mares.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said vaccine composition is administered parenterally.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said vaccine composition is administered intramuscularly.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said virus is present in an amount sufficient to provide at least about 1×10 4 TCID 50 and up to about 1×10 9 TCID 50 per unit dose.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said virus is present in an amount sufficient to provide at least about 1×10 6 TCID 50 per unit dose, and at least two doses are administered to each said equidae.
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the metabolizable oil is SP oil and is present in an amount of about 5% vol/vol.