Novel pneumovirus compositions and methods for using the same

Abstract

Provided are newly identified pneumoviruses that can infect mammals, including dogs cats and potentially humans. Isolated polynucleotides and proteins of the viruses, as well as the isolated viruses themselves are provided. Included are compositions and methods for detecting the viruses, methods and compositions for prophylaxis and/or therapy of disease signs that are positively correlated with the presence of the viruses, and isolated cells comprising the viruses. Intact virions, viral proteins, and fragments thereof are also provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical preparation for use as vaccine, the pharmaceutical preparation comprising an attenuated or an inactivated virus comprising a polynucleotide that is at least 96% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3, the pharmaceutical preparation further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 1 , wherein the adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, aluminum oxide, an oil-in-water emulsion, a water-in-oil emulsion, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 1 , wherein the virus comprises a polynucleotide that is at least 96% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 1 , wherein the virus comprises a polynucleotide that is at least 96% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 1 , wherein the virus comprises a polynucleotide that is at least 96% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 1 , wherein the virus is attenuated. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 1 , wherein the virus is inactivated. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 2 , wherein the virus is attenuated. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 2 , wherein the virus is inactivated. 
     
     
         10 . A method of stimulating an immune response in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a pharmaceutical preparation of  claim 1 , wherein an immune response is stimulated in the mammal subsequent to the administration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the adjuvant in the pharmaceutical preparation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, aluminum oxide, an oil-in-water emulsion, a water-in-oil emulsion, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the virus comprises a polynucleotide that is at least 96% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and wherein the mammal is a canine. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the virus comprises a polynucleotide that is at least 96% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO:3, and wherein the mammal is a feline. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the virus is attenuated. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the virus is inactivated. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the virus is attenuated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the virus is inactivated. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mammal is a canine or a feline. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the virus is attenuated. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the virus is inactivated.