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This invention describes materials and methods of detecting novel influenza virus in a sample. As highlighted by the recent H1N1 pandemic strain, influenza viruses are constantly evolving and novel reassortments can quickly spread around the world.

The CDC developed a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Taqman assay and an RT-semi nested PCR (RT-snPCR) assay for the detection of parechoviruses. Similar to enteroviruses, parechoviruses are responsible for gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous system infections. All tests target conserved regions in the 5'-nontranslated region (5-'NTR) of the parechovirus genome and share forward and reverse primers. The Taqman probe and RTsnPCR nested primer target the same conserved site but vary in length.

In order to address a global need for rapid, cost-effective, sensitive, and specific assays for many pathogens, CDC scientists have developed a broad-use, multiplexed RT-PCR assay. This comprehensive assay covers numerous pathogens that are common causes of infection in neonates and also important to food-safety.

CDC researchers have developed a single-tube, real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of three bacterial respiratory pathogens (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydiophila pneumoniae and Legionella spp.). The assay has an internal control testing for presence of human DNA. This four-plex real-time PCR assay could potentially become a routine screening test for patients with respiratory illness. Ninety four clinical specimens (in a 96-well format) can be tested at once. This assay is non-invasive, rapid and cost-effective.

This invention relates to a recombinant, attenuated rabies vaccine that is also capable of inhibiting reproductive fertility. An Evelyn-Rokitnicki-Abelseth (ERA) rabies vaccine backbone, combined with a reproductive-specific protein, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or the sperm-binding zona-pellucida-glycoprotein-3 (ZP3) receptor, allows reduction in both rabies transmission and uncontrolled reproduction in stray animals. The ERA rabies vaccine backbone has previously shown strong efficacy in animal studies.

The critical feature of this technology is the Evelyn-Rokitnicki-Abelseth (ERA) rabies whole genome DNA sequence. With the availability of the entire rabies genome, a recombinant vaccine can be developed using reverse genetics. Using this technology, CDC researchers have developed a recombinant, live-attenuated vaccine shown to confer protection against lethal doses of live, street-rabies virus in multiple survival studies. This vaccine offers better protection than traditional inactivated vaccinations, as demonstrated in co-infection studies.

CDC scientists have developed a one-step TaqMan quantitative/real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay for detecting hepatitis D virus (HDV) RNA. Additionally, a quantifiable synthetic RNA control to determine viral load has been created.

Haemophilus influenzae is responsible for life-threatening respiratory infections including meningitis. This assay allows for the qualitative detection of the bacterial meningitis pathogen H. influenzae serotype A (Hia) and serotype B (Hib) in fluid samples, without detecting any of the other serotypes of H. influenzae. This invention is capable of detecting even the very small numbers of Hia or Hib within clinical specimens.

In order to develop a simple detection assay for field use, CDC researchers cloned and sequenced the Taenia solium T24 diagnostic protein. The T24 sequences can be used to detect and diagnose T. solium infection or can be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition. T. solium is a species of tapeworm. Intestinal infection with T. solium is referred to as taeniasis. Many taeniasis infections are asymptomatic but may be characterized by insomnia, anorexia, abdominal pain and weight loss. Cysticercosis infection, which can be fatal, may develop if T.

CDC scientists developed immunogenic multi-clade, multivalent (HIV1MCMV) recombinant constructs for use as HIV-1 vaccines. These polypeptides include immunogenic CTL, T- and/or B-cell determinants that are capable of eliciting broad and effective immune responses against diverse subtypes of HIV-1. It is believed that these HIV-1 constructs provide universal vaccines, capable of effective use in any part of the world affected by the HIV-1 epidemic.