Recombinant avian adenovirus vector

Abstract

This invention relates to a recombinant vector comprising a recombinant avian adenovirus incorporating, and capable of expression of at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence. The nucleotide sequence is preferably one which encodes an antigenic determinate of infectious bursal disease virus. The invention further relates to a method of production of recombinant vectors, to methods of preparation of vaccines based on the vectors, to administration strategies and to methods of protecting poultry from disease.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to delivery vectors for antigen producing genes (heterologous gene sequences) used to generate immune responses in commercial poultry flocks susceptible to decimation by disease. Such vectors are especially useful for the preparation of vaccines which can be easily administered on a large scale to protect poultry flocks against disease. This invention also relates to a method of production of suitable delivery vectors, to methods of preparation of vaccines based on the vectors, to administration strategies and to a method of protecting poultry from disease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The productivity of the intensive poultry industry depends on the control of infectious diseases. In Australia the cost of disease to industry is conservatively estimated at $50 million annually. Whilst diseases can be controlled in part by good hygiene and quarantine measures, the industry must still rely on vaccination to protect flocks. In a commercial situation the difficulty and cost in the administration of suitable preventative or curative agents or adjuvants is caused by the sheer number of poultry to be treated. Thus, vaccines must be cheap, effective and easy to deliver.

Conventionally, vaccines constituting live viral particles have been prepared by virus passage and selection of attenuated forms. Alternatively, killed vaccines were prepared from virulent viruses.

One recent attempt to vaccinate commercial bird flocks against a common viral infection is that described in AU-A-34353/93 (VIROGENETICS CORPORATION). This application describes a recombinant poxvirus such as vaccinia virus or fowlpox virus containing heterologous DNA from the Marek's disease virus which is used as a vaccine to induce an immunological response in a host animal. However, the use of poxviruses has the disadvantage that the immune response of poultry is not sustained sufficiently long enough to generate adequate protection. Particularly, the immunoprotection generated may not be sufficient to protect a bird once maternal antibody has ceased to play a role in antibody mediated immunity.

A different approach has been taken by a group at Medisorb Technologies, Inc., in the U.S. as reported in the journal Genetic Engineering News September 1993. This approach used a conventional Salmonella vaccine encapsulated in a biodegradable microsphere based on polylactic-colycolic acid. The approach requires, however that the microsphere be injected into the bird. This approach is not necessarily commercially feasible for large flocks.

It is thus an aim of this invention to provide a delivery vehicle for heterologous sequences of genetic material that is particularly suited to administration on a large scale.

In particular, it is an aim of this invention to provide or enhance means for the generation and/or optimization of antibodies and/or cell-mediated immunity so as to provide protection against infection with common avian diseases, which means is quickly and effectively administered, particularly to large flocks of poultry, that is, to provide or enhance means for the induction of an antibody response and/or cell mediated response in a recipient which affords the recipient protection against infection with common avian diseases. It is an additional aim to provide a process for preparation of a suitable means for the induction of an antibody response and/or cell mediated immune response so as to protect birds against infection with common avian diseases. It is a further aim to provide a protection strategy.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides, in one embodiment, a recombinant avian adenovirus capable of expressing DNA of interest, said DNA of interest being stably integrated into an appropriate site of said recombinant avian adenovirus genome.

In another embodiment the invention provides a recombinant vector comprising a recombinant avian adenovirus which incorporates at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence. Preferably the heterologous nucleotide sequence is capable of expression as an antigenic polypeptide and/or an immunopotentiating molecule.

In another embodiment the invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising at least one recombinant avian adenovirus vector incorporating and expressing at least one heterologous coding sequence and suitable carriers and/or excipients.

It is to be understood that an immunogenic composition includes a vaccine, and it is capable of inducing an antibody response and/or a cell mediated response affording immune protection to the recipient. It is also understood that an immunogenic composition can provide long term protection.

The antigenic polypeptide encoded by the at least one nucleotide sequence is preferably foreign to the host vector.

The recombinant vector may comprise an infectious live recombinant avian adenovirus in which the virion structural proteins are unchanged from those in the native avian adenovirus from which the recombinant avian adenovirus is produced.

The invention is predicated upon the discovery that certain regions of the Fowl Adenovirus genome has unique properties. In particular, the major late promoter and leader sequences are quite dissimilar to equivalent regions in Adenoviruses previously characterized. It has surprisingly been discovered that the leader sequence is a dipartite leader sequence. It is also surprising, based on knowledge of human adenoviruses that there are nonessential regions in the fowl Adenovirus genome which do not correspond to those characterized previously in other Adenoviruses thus making this virus particularly suited to delivery of heterologous sequences.

This invention is further predicated on the discovery that the Avian adenovirus generates a prolonged response in poultry thus making it well suited as a vaccine vehicle. Furthermore, the existence of a number of serotypes of varying virulence allows the selection of a vaccine vehicle suited to the level of immune response required.

Adenoviruses are a large and diverse family, having been isolated from many living species, including man and other mammals, as well as a variety of birds, particularly chickens [Wigand, R., Gelderblom, H. and Ozell, M. (1977) Biological and biophysical characteristics of mouse adenovirus, strain FL. Arch, Virol. 54:131-142]. As a result, adenoviruses have been separated into two different genera, one group has a mammalian host range (Mastadenoviradae) and the other an avian host range (Aviadenoviradae). Because the avian adenovirus serotypes are only very distantly related to mammalian adenoviruses a knowledge of the latter is only partially instructive in relation to the former. The avian adenoviruses show only very limited DNA homology with human adenoviruses [Alestrom, P., Stenlund, A., Li, P., Bellet, A. J. D. and Pettersson, U. (1982) Sequence homology between avian and human adenoviruses. J. Virol. 42:306-310] with fowl adenovirus (“FAV”) genomes being some 10 kilobases larger than the human adenovirus genome. The classification of these viruses as adenoviruses is based solely on morphological and structural similarities.

The genus Aviadenovirus is currently divided into five species groups: fowl, turkey, goose, pheasant and duck adenoviruses. Fowl adenoviruses were first recognized in the 1950s when they were isolated as a consequence of using embryonated eggs and cell cultures with FAV [Van Den Ende, M., Don, P. A. and Kipps, A. (1949) The isolation in eggs of a new filterable agent which may be the cause of bovine lumpy skin disease. J. Gen. Micro. 3:174-182; Yates, V. J. and Fry, D. E. (1957) Observations on a chicken embryo lethal orphan (CELO) virus (serotype 1). Am. J. Vet. Res. 18:657-660]. However, the only fowl adenovirus upon which some molecular study has been undertaken is the oncogenic FAV, chicken embryo lethal orphan (CELO). The CELO virus genome is almost 30% longer than that of human adenoviruses (HAV) [Laver, W. G., Bandfield-Younghusband, H. and Wrigley, N. G. (1971) Purification and properties of chick embryo lethal orphan virus (an avian adenovirus). Virol 45:598-614]. CELO virus is composed of at least 11-14 structural proteins [Yasue, H. and Ishibashi, M. (1977) Chick embryo lethal orphan (CELO) virus-induced early and late polypeptides. Virol. 78:216-233; Li, P., Bellet, A. J. D. and Parish, C. R. (1984) DNA-binding proteins of chick embryo lethal orphan virus: Lack of complementation between early proteins of avian and human adenoviruses. J. Gen. Virol. 65:1817-1825] and is structurally similar to HAV which is composed of 10-14 structural proteins [Maizel, J. V. (Jr.), White, D. O. and Scharff, M. (1968) The polypeptides of adenovirus. I. Evidence for multiple protein components in the virion and a comparison of types 2, 7A and 12. Virol. 36:115-125; Ishibashi, M. and Maizel, (Jr.), J. V. (1974) The polypeptides of adenovirus V. Young virions, structural intermediate between top components and aged virions. Virol. 57:409-424]. The only morphological difference apparent between them is the additional FAV fiber. Even allowing for a second fiber gene a considerable amount of ‘excess’ DNA remains to be accounted for in the genome of FAV when compared to the HAV.

DNA cross-hybridization studies demonstrated only very limited homology between HAV and FAV [Alestrom, P., Stenlund, A., Li, P., Bellet, A. J. D. and Pettersson, U. (1982) Sequence homology between avian and human adenoviruses. J. Virol. 42:306-310]. However, in spite of this and the lack of immunological relatedness, the amino acid composition of CELO virus and HAV hexons but not the gene sequence were found to be similar [Laver, W. G., Bandfield-Younghusband, H. and Wrigley, N. G. (1971) Purification and properties of chick embryo lethal orphan virus (an avian adenovirus). Virol. 45:598-614]. Other similarities noted include: the presence of terminal repeat sequences at either end of the genome [Alestrom, P., Stenlund, A., Li, P., Bellet, A. J. D. and Pettersson, U. (1982) Sequence homology between avian and human adenoviruses. J. Virol. 42:306-310; Sheppard, M. and Erny, K. M. (1989) DNA sequence analysis of the inverted terminal repeats of a non-oncogenic avian adenovirus. Nuc. Acids Res. 17:3995], the synthesis of low molecular weight virus associated (“VA”) RNAs [Larsson, S., Bellet, A. and Akusjarvi, G. (1986) VA RNAs from avian and human adenoviruses: dramatic differences in length, sequence, and gene location. J. Virol. 58:600-609] and sharing of at least one non-structural protein; the DNA binding protein (DBP) [Li, P., Bellet, A. J. D. and Parish, C. R. (1984) DNA-binding proteins of chick embryo lethal orphan virus: Lack of complementation between early proteins of avian and human adenoviruses. J. Gen. Virol. 65:1817-1825].

At face value these findings suggest strong similarities exist between FAV and HAV. However, the terminal repeat sequences of FAV are much shorter in length and, unlike HAV, the length of terminal repeats did not differ in a comparison between one oncogenic and one nononcogenic FAV [Sheppard, M. and Erny, K. M. (1989) DNA sequence analysis of the inverted terminal repeats of a non-oncogenic avian adenovirus. Nuc. Acids Res. 17:3995]. Secondly, the VA RNA genes of FAV differ from their HAV counterparts in their chromosomal location, direction of transcription and primary sequence [Larsson, S., Bellet, A. and Akusjarvi, G. (1986) VA RNAs from avian and human adenoviruses: dramatic differences in length, sequence, and gene location. J. Virol. 58:600-609]. Finally, the DBP of FAV which initiates transcription by interacting with the E1A genes, fails to recognize the E1A genes of HAV [Li, P., Bellet, A. J. D. and Parish, C. R. (1984) DNA-binding proteins of chick embryo lethal orphan virus: Lack of complementation between early proteins of avian and human adenoviruses. J. Gen. Virol. 65:1817-1825].

Fowl adenoviruses are common within poultry flocks, and to date 11 distinct serotypes have been recognized [McFerran, J. B. and Connor, T. J. (1977) Further studies on the classification of fowl adenoviruses. Av. Dis. 21:585-595]. While all of these serotypes appear to be widely disseminated throughout the world, epidemiological surveys show that in a given geographical location certain serotypes appear to predominate. For example, in America the most common serotypes encountered are 1, 4, 5, 7 and 9 [Cowen, B., Mitchell, G. B. and Calnek, B. W. (1978) An adenovirus survey of poultry flocks during the growing and laying periods. Av. Dis. 22:115-121; Yates, V. J., Rhee, Y. O., Fry, D. E., El Mishad, A. M. and McCormick, K. J. (1976) The presence of avian adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses in healthy chickens. Av. Dis. 20:146-152]. Surveys of clinically diseased Australian flocks have identified types 1 and 4 [Boyle, D. B. and McFerran, J. B. (1976) Avian adenoviruses isolated from poultry in Queensland, Aus. Vet. J. 52:587-589] and, more recently types 6, 7 and 8 [Reece, R. L., Barr, D. A., Grix, D. C., Forsyth, W. M. Condron, R. J. and Hindmarsh, M. (1986) Observations on naturally occurring inclusion body hepatitis in Victorian chickens. Aust. Vet. J. 63:201-202] as the most prevalent serotypes.

When choosing appropriate FAV for development as live vectors to deliver vaccines to bird flocks, it is important to take into account the natural prevalence of serotypes. Those serotypes not commonly encountered in the field have an obvious advantage over those to which flocks are frequently exposed and to which they may have developed immunity.

A further consideration is the ability of the vector to remain active in the bird beyond the period within which maternal antibodies protect the bird immediately post-hatching.

Other important considerations in choosing potential FAV vectors are pathogenicity and immunogenicity. Preferably live vector viruses should be highly infectious but non-pathogenic (or at least stably attenuated) such that they do not themselves adversely affect the target species.

The oncogenic nature of serotype-1 FAV has been demonstrated [Sarma, P. S., Huebner, R. J. and Lane, W. T. (1965) Induction of tumors in hamsters with an avian adenovirus (CELO). Science 149: 1108] and for this reason this group of FAV is not favored for vector development.

Preferred candidates for use as vaccine vectors are non-pathogenic isolates FAV CFA20 (serotype 10), CFA15 (serotype 10) and CFA 40 (serotype 8). The CFA20 virus is the more preferred vector candidate because it is clinically safe and because it represents a serotype apparently uncommon in Australian and American poultry flocks. This is an important consideration as it reduces the possible problems associated with prior exposure. However, pre-existing antibody does not preclude use of a common serotype as a vaccine candidate. FAV CFA15 and CFA19 (serotype 9) are also suitable candidates for vector development. Other serotypes may also be useful. It is notable that more virulent strains produce a greater antibody response.

Heterologous nucleotide sequences which may be incorporated into nonessential regions of the viral genome and which may encode the antigenic determinants of infectious organisms against which the generation of antibodies or cell-mediated immunity is desirable may be those expressing antigenic determinants of intestinal infections caused by parasites; for example, coccidial infections or respiratory viruses, for example, infectious bronchitis virus. Other infectious organisms against which immunity may be desirable include those that target internal organs such as the bursa of Fabricius, for example, infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV).

Identification of sites suitable for the insertion of heterologous sequences and monitoring of the expression of those sites may be made using a Thymidine Kinase (TK) selection method. This method of selection is premised on the fact that avian adenoviruses (wild type) do not have TK coding sequences. Insertion of a TK expression cassette into the FAV genome can be combined with selection for a recombinant expressing TK during transfection/homologous recombination using chemical selection methods [MTAGG: Boyle and Coupar (1986)]. Identification of a FAV 1X recombinant demonstrates that a deletion may be made at the site of insertion of the TK expression cassette. Nonessential regions using this selection method have been identified in the right hand end of the FAV genome. This method may also be used to identify other nonessential regions for example, in the left hand end of the FAV genome without undue experimentation. The method may also be used to identify essential regions of the FAV genome without the need for undue experimentation.

Other selectable marker systems can be used in an analogous manner to the TK Selection method to identify sites suitable for insertion of heterologous sequences.

Heterologous nucleotide sequences which may be incorporated include the antigenic determinants of the agents of

Newcastle Disease

Marek's Disease

Egg Drop Syndrome

Inclusion Body Hepatitis

Infectious Laryngotracheitis

Mycoplasma

Chicken Anaemia Agent (aplastic anaemia)

Avian Influenza

Avian Encephalomyelitis

Infectious Bronchitis Virus

Heterologous nucleotide sequences which encode the antigenic determinants of various bacterial agents such as Salmonella, Escherichia, Clostridium and Pasteurella may also be incorporated.

Heterologous nucleotide sequences more preferred for incorporation in the vectors of the invention are those expressing antigenic determinants of the causative agents of coccidiosis, Newcastle Disease, Marek's Disease, Infectious Bronchitis Virus and Infectious Laryngotracheitis.

It is also envisaged the heterologous sequences incorporated may be immunopotentiator molecules such as cytokines or growth promoters, for example insulin like growth factors (IGF) or interferons (IFN).

The type of immune response stimulated by candidate vectors may affect the selection of heterologous nucleotide sequences for insertion therein. FAV isolates CFA20, CFA15 and CFA40 may induce mucosal immunity and are thus more suitable for inventions of the intestines or respiratory system. FAV isolates such as CFA19 which induces a strong serum antibody response may be more suitable for use against diseases of the organs of poultry because of their ability to penetrate beyond the gut of the bird.

The DNA of interest which may comprise heterologous genes coding for antigenic determinants or immunopotentiator molecules may be located in at least one nonessential region of the viral genome.

Nonessential regions of the viral genome which may be suitable for the purposes of replacement with or insertion of heterologous nucleotide sequences may be non-coding regions at the right terminal end of the viral genome and/or the left terminal end of the viral genome. Preferably this region is located at the right end of the genome at map units 70 to 100. More preferably, this region is located at the right hand end at map units 60 to 100.

The heterologous gene sequence may be associated with a promoter and leader sequence in order that the nucleotide sequence may be expressed in situ as efficiently as possible. Preferably the heterologous gene sequence is associated with the avian adenoviral major late promoter and splice leader sequence.

The major late promoter lines near 16-17 map units on the adenovirus genetic map and contains a classical TATA sequence motif. [Johnson, D. C., Ghosh-Condhury, G., Smiley, F. R., Fallis, L. and Graham, F. L. (1988) Abundant expression of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein gB using an adenovirus vector. Virology 164:1-14].

The splice leader sequence of the avian adenovirus isolates under consideration is a dipartite sequence spliced to late genes.

The heterologous gene sequence may also be associated with a polyadenylation sequence.

Instead of the avian adenoviral major late promoter, any other suitable eukaryotic promoter can be used.

For example, those of SV40 virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) or human adenovirus may be used.

Processing and polyadenylation signals other than those of avian adenoviruses may also be considered, for example, that of SV40.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a recombinant vaccine for induction of an antibody response and/or cell mediated response so as to provide or enhance protection against infection with an infectious organism in birds, the vaccine comprising at least one recombinant avian adenovirus vector incorporating at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence formulated with suitable carriers and excipients. Preferably the nucleotide sequence is capable of expression as an antigenic polypeptide.

The antigenic polypeptide encoded by the at least one nucleotide sequence is preferably foreign to the host vector. At least one nucleotide sequence may be associated with a promoter/leader and a poly A sequence.

The recombinant vaccine may include live recombinant avian adenovirus vector in which the virion structural protein are unchanged from that in the native avian adenovirus from which the recombinant avian adenovirus is produced.

Preferred vector candidates for use in the recombinant vaccine are FAV isolates CFA20 (serotype 10), CFA40 (serotype 8), CFA15 (serotype 10) and CFA19 (serotype 9). Use of other serotypes is possible, depending on the poultry type, its existing immunity and its environment.

If the vaccine is to be used to optimise protection against disease, suitable heterologous nucleotide sequences may be those of immunopotentiators such as cytokines or growth promoters.

The vaccines may comprise other constituents, such as stabilizers, excipients, other pharmaceutically acceptable compounds or any other antigen or part thereof. The vaccine may be in the form of a lyophilized preparation or as a suspension, all of which are common in the field of vaccine production.

A suitable carrier for such a vaccine may be isotonic buffered saline.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing a vaccine for induction of an antibody response and/or optimization of antibodies and/or cell-mediated immune response so as to induce or enhance protection against an infectious organism in a bird, which comprises constructing a recombinant avian adenovirus vector incorporating at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence, and placing said recombinant avian adenovirus vector in a form suitable for administration. Preferably the nucleotide sequence is capable of expression as an antigenic polypeptide although it may also be an immunopotentiator. The nucleotide sequence is conveniently foreign to the host vector.

More preferably the nucleotide sequence is associated with promoter/leader and poly A sequences.

The form of administration may be that of an enteric coated dosage unit, an inoculum for intraperitoneal, intramuscular or subcutaneous administration, an aerosol spray, by intraocular drop or intranasal application. Administration in the drinking water, in feed pellets or in ovo is also possible.

The more preferred mode of administration is as an aerosol spray.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing an avian adenovirus vaccine vector which comprises inserting into an avian adenovirus at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence. Said heterologous nucleotide sequence is preferably capable of expression as an antigenic polypeptide.

Preferably the antigenic polypeptide encoded by the inserted nucleotide sequence is foreign to the host vector.

More preferably the heterologous nucleotide sequence is associated with promoter/leader and poly A sequences.

In one preferred method of construction of a vaccine vector, a restriction enzyme site preferably being one that does not cleave the host virus genome selected for construction, is inserted into a nonessential and preferably non-coding region of the host virus genome. The recombinant viral genome thus is provided with a unique restriction enzyme site in a nonessential region to allow insertion of heterologous nucleotide sequences by simple restriction enzyme cleavage and ligation. This method has the added advantage of enabling, if preferred, deletion of portions of the nonessential region to allow the insertion of greater portions of DNA.

By this method a DNA expression cassette containing an appropriate FAV promoter with a foreign gene sequence as well as leader sequences and polyadenylation recognition sequences can be constructed with the unique restriction enzyme sites flanking the cassette enabling easy insertion into the FAV genome.

In an alternative method of construction of a suitable vector the nonessential region to be altered to incorporate foreign DNA could be constructed via homologous recombination. By this method the nonessential region is cloned, a portion of it is deleted, and foreign DNA together with promoter, leader and polyadenylation sequences is inserted, preferably by homologous recombination between flanking sequences. By this method also, deletion of portions of the nonessential region is possible to create extra room for larger DNA inserts that are beyond the normal packaging constraints of the virus.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided strategies for administration of the vaccines of the invention.

The vaccine is preferably administered by aerosol spray since airborne spread is a natural route of FAV dissemination.

In one strategy according to the invention, FAV vector based vaccines may be administered as ‘cocktails’ comprising two or more virus vectors carrying different foreign genes or immunopotentiators.

In a preferred vaccination strategy of the invention, the ‘cocktail’ or simultaneous strategy, a vaccine based on both FAV isolates CFA19 and CFA20 is used.

In an alternative strategy according to the invention, FAV vector based vaccines may be administered consecutively of each other to either administer booster vaccines or new vaccines at some stage subsequent to initial FAV vaccination. The vaccines used are preferably based on heterologous FAV isolates.

In a preferred version of the “consecutive” strategy, vaccines based on isolates serotypically unrelated are selected so as to achieve maximum protection against infection. In one example of such a strategy a vaccine based on FAV isolate CFA20 is administered subsequently or prior to vaccination with a vaccine based on FAV isolate CFA19.

Poultry are conveniently inoculated with vector vaccines according to the invention at any age. Where chickens are concerned, broilers may be vaccinated at one day old, breeders and layers may be vaccinated regularly up to point of lay and thereafter.

Preferably according to either the consecutive strategy or the cocktail strategy, poultry are vaccinated while still not fully immunocompetent. More conveniently, day-old birds can be vaccinated for protection against re-infection after a period of four weeks subsequent to initial vaccination.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for producing an immune response in a bird comprising administering to the bird an effective amount of a recombinant vaccine according to the invention. An effective amount as referred to throughout the present description is an amount sufficient to elicit an immune response, preferably at least 10 4 TCID 50 per dose, but within the range of 10 3 -10 7 TCID 50 per dose depending on the method of application.

The vaccine of the invention may of course be combined with vaccines against other viruses or organisms such as Marek's Disease virus, Newcastle Disease virus or infectious bronchitis prior to or at the time of its administration.

The vaccine may be directed against respiratory and intestinal infections caused by a variety of agents. In order to direct the vaccine against a specific infectious organism, heterologous gene sequences encoding the antigenic determinants of those infectious organisms may be incorporated into nonessential regions of the genome of the avian adenovirus comprising the vector.

In a preferred aspect of this embodiment of the invention, administration is by aerosol spray.

Methods for construction and testing of recombinant vectors and vaccines according to this invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Standard procedures for endonuclease digestion, ligation and electrophoresis were carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's or supplier's instructions. Standard techniques are not described in detail and will be well understood by persons skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the DNA restriction endonuclease map of the entire genome of FAV-CFA15.

FIG. 2 illustrates the DNA restriction endonuclease map of the entire genome of FAV-CFA19.

FIG. 3 illustrates the DNA restriction endonuclease map of the entire genome of FAV-CFA20.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sequence characterization and cloning of the major late promoter and splice leader sequences of CFA20.

FIG. 5 shows the sequences of the upstream enhancer sequence for the major late promoter and splice leaders 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates the genomic organization of the right hand ends of the FAV serotypes 1, 10, 9 and 8.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of construction of a FAV vector.

FIG. 8 illustrates the construction of an expression cassette for FAV.

FIG. 9 illustrates the restriction endonuclease map of the right hand end of FAV serotype 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of construction of FAV(8)-ChIFNγ recombinant.

FIG. 11 illustrates results of biological assays for chicken gamma interferon produced by recombinant FAV.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of preferred embodiments of the invention based on FAV isolates CFA15, 19, 20 and 40 will now be described. Whilst these four isolates have been selected because of their low pathogenicity and/or high immunogenicity, it will be appreciated that other isolates of avian adenovirus may also be suitable for construction of vaccine vectors provided that the criteria for selection described hereinbefore are met.

Table 1 illustrates the suitability of several other isolates of varying serotype. Pathogenicity was tested by administration of 10 6 pfu of virus injected in a 0.5 ml volume via the intraperitoneal route. Surviving chickens were killed at 8-10 days and tissue samples taken for histology and virus re-isolation.

The genomes of the selected isolates FAV CFA15, 19 and 20 were characterized by conventional methods. The DNA restriction endonuclease maps of the entire genome of each are illustrated respectively in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 . Map units are given (1 mu=0.45 Kb) and the genomes are oriented left to right. By convention adenovirus genomes are normally oriented such that the terminal region from which no late mRNA transcripts are synthesised is located at the left end. The enzyme used to generate each map is indicated at the edge of each map.

DNA restriction endonuclease maps have been published for CFA40 [Pallister and Sheppard (1996) Comparison by restriction enzyme analysis of three fowl adenoviruses of varying pathogenicity. Veterinary Microbiology 48:155-163].

Characterization of Viral Genomes

TABLE 1
Pathogenicity of 16 FAV representing 8 distinct and 1 intermediate
serotype, for day-old Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) chickens
injected via the intraperitoneal (IP) route.
			Mortalities a	Virus	% Weight
	Virus	Serotype	%	recovery b	reduction c
	CFA3	8	0	+	0
	CFA13	6	0	+	8
	CFA20	10	0	+	8
	CFA15	10	0	+	0
	CFA2	1	5	+	0
	CFA7	1	5	+	0
	CFA11	2	10	+	9
	CFA17	8	15	+	1
	CFA19	9	18	+	17
	CFA10	7	20	+	16
	CFA4	7	35	+	25
	CFA9	1	50	+	25
	CFA5	8	65	+	25
	CFA22	7/8	100	+	— d
	CFA24	7/8	100	+	— d
	CFA40	8	100 e /0 f	+	— d/0 g
	1 twenty, day-old chickens each received 10 6 pfu of virus and subsequent deaths were recorded over an 8 day period
	b virus recovery was attempted from caecal tonsil tissue
	c weight reduction was calculated by comparing the average weight of infected birds with that of uninfected control birds
	d None survived long enough to determine weight reduction
	e 100% in SPF day old chickens
	f 0% commercial broilers with existing maternal antibody against serotype 8
	g none in commercial broilers with existing maternal antibody against serotype 8

Characterization of Major Late Promoter (MLP) and Splice Leader Sequences (LS) of CFA20

Identification and cloning of the FAV MLP

By use of DNA restriction enzyme and genetic maps of the FAV serotype 10 (CFA20) genome, a region was located that was believed to contain the MLP and leader sequences. Three DNA fragments DraI fragment 4(3.0 kb), HpaI/DraI fragment (2.8 kb) and a DraI/HpaI fragment (4.5 kb) ( FIG. 4 ) were all cloned individually into plasmid vectors. These DNAs were subcloned into M13mp18 and mp19 and sequenced. (FIG. 5 ).

The MLP promoter sequence was identified as containing a classical TATA sequence, the only one in the region sequenced, as well as potential upstream factors and was subsequently confirmed by the location of the leader sequence and the transcriptional start site.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sequence characterization and cloning of the major late promoter and splice leader sequences of CFA20. Specifically, shown are the HpaI restriction endonuclease maps of FAV CFA20. The regions cloned (▭) and sequenced (—) are indicated.

In order to determine the structure and sequence of the leader sequence spliced to late mRNA, chicken kidney cells were infected with FAV and the infection was allowed to proceed until late in the infection cycle (usually 24-32 hr p.i.). At this time total RNA was purified from the infected cells using RNAzol B solution (Breseatec, Australia). The isolated RNA was precipitated with isopropanol and stored at −70° in 50 μl aliquots until required. Poly A (mRNA) was isolated from total RNA by the use of the Poly AT tract System (Promega, USA). The isolated mRNA was used in cDNA production.

For cDNA production, oligonucleotides were produced to the complementary strand of the hexon gene and the penton base gene, both being MLP transcripts. A further oligo was produced which covered the proposed cap site of the major late transcript, 24 bases downstream of the TATA box. This oligonucleotide was used in conjunction with that used in cDNA production in Taq polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The resulting DNA produced from positive clones was digested with appropriate restriction enzymes to determine the size of the inserted fragment. DNA sequencing of these inserted fragments was performed using a modification of the chain termination technique [Sanger, F., Nicklen, S. and Gulson, A. R. (1977) DNA sequencing with chain terminating inhibitors PNAS USA 74:5463-5467] so as to allow T7 DNA polymerase extension (Pharmacia, Sweden).

To confirm the leader sequence cap site, fresh cDNA was prepared and this time a tail of dGTP residues added to it. Briefly, cDNA was incubated with 1 mM dGTP and approximately 15 units of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Pharmacia) in 2 mM CaCl 2 buffer at 37° C. for 60 minutes. The reaction was stopped by heating to 70° C. for 10 minutes. The DNA was then ethanol precipitated and resuspended in a volume suitable for use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR was performed as previously described using a poly (dC) oligonucleotide with a XbaI site at the 5′ end. Resulting fragments were digested with Xbal and SmaI and cloned into pUCI9 vector. DNA preparation and sequencing were performed, as described previously, on clones shown to be positive by hybridization.

FIG. 5 illustrates the DNA sequence of the major late promoter, upstream enhancer sequences and splice leaders 1 and 2 showing the arrangement of splice leader 1 from cDNA studies. SEQ ID NO:1 is the 5′ upstream enhancer sequence for the major late promoter (FAVMLP) of Adenovirus CFA20; SEQ ID NO:2 is the FAVMLP TATA box plus sequence leading to the Leader sequence; SEQ ID NO:3 is the first leader sequence of Adenovirus CFA20 (FAVLS1); SEQ ID NO:4 is the second leader sequence of Adenovirus CFA20 (FAVLS2); and SEQ ID NO:5 is the total spliced sequence.

Characterization of Nonessential Regions of FAV Genome

FIG. 6 shows the genomic organization of the right hand ends of avian adenoviruses FAV 1, 10, 9 and 8. The regions sequenced are represented by the thick lines. Open reading flames (ORFs) are represented by arrows. Identification of ORFs in serotypes 8, 9 and 10 is based on amino acid identity with putative ORFs in serotype 1 (CELO).

The right hand ends of the FAV serotypes 8, 9 and 10 were cloned and sequenced. SEQ ID NO:6 is the right hand end sequence of FAV serotype 10; SEQ ID NO:7 is the right hand end sequence of FAV serotype 9; SEQ ID NO:8 is the right hand sequence of FAV serotype 8. For serotypes 9 and 10, the region sequenced covered approximately map units 70-100. For serotype 8, the region sequenced covered approximately map units 60-100. Sequencing revealed that there are substantial differences between the serotypes of FAVs.

1. SEROTYPE 10

The right end was identified by cloning and complete sequencing of the FAV serotype 10 (CFA 20) NdeI/3 fragment (4.3 kb), EcoRI/2 (6.2 kb). The total region sequenced was equal to 8.4 kb.

2. SEROTYPE 9

The right hand end was identified by cloning and sequencing of FAV serotype 9 (CFA19) XbaI/5 (3.9 kb), EcoRV/4, 5 and 6 (4.0, 2.3 and 2.0 kb respectively) and BamHI and BalI clones. The total region sequenced was equal to 8.5 kb.

3. SEROTYPE 8

The right hand end was identified by cloning and complete sequencing of FAV serotype 8 (CFA40) NheI/2 (8.5 kb), BglII/5 (1.7 kb) and BglII/3 (7.5 kb). The total region sequenced was equal to the 17.1 kb pairs which corresponds to approximately map units 60-100.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the organization of the right hand end of FAV serotype 8 shows some differences from that of serotype 1 (CELO), with some potential ORF's having homology to those in CELO, but arranged on different strands, as well as some unique ORF's to serotype 8. For example, the putative CELO 36 kDa ORF is on the right strand in CELO but on the left (complement) strand of serotypes 8 and 9, and is not present in serotype 10. Serotype 10 open reading frame 2 (ORF2) appears to be unique to that serotype. Another example is the putative 15.1 kDa ORF in CELO which is located 5 prime (upstream) of the 36 kDa ORF, but in serotype 9 is 3 prime (downstream) of the 36 kDa ORF. Another example is the putative 16.3 kDa ORF in CELO which is located on the right strand, but is on the left strand of serotype 10, but not yet located for serotypes 8 and 9. Other features are the existence of repeats in serotypes 8 and 9, which are not found in serotype 10 or CELO.

Construction of FAV Vector

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of construction of a FAV vector. The right hand end NdeI fragment 3 of the FAV CFA20 is cloned and a unique restriction endonuclease (NotI) site is inserted. CK cells were transfected with purified altered NdeI fragment 3 and purified SpeI fragment 1 to produce a functional virus by homologous recombination with a unique restriction endonuclease (NotI) site in the genome. One particularly preferred FAV isolate is that identified as FAV M11 NotI which was deposited at the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories on Mar. 11, 1994 and given the accession number N94/8879.

Construction of Expression Cassettes

The major late promoter and leader sequences were cloned into a plasmid vector with the polyadenylation signal (polyA) of SV40 as well as suitable cloning sites for the insertion of heterologous sequences. The ORF's from a number of antigens and cytokines were cloned into the expression cassette. These included the cytokines chicken gamma interferon (Ch IFNγ), chicken myelomonocytic growth factor (ch MGF) and the antigens S1 from infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) from Newcastle's disease virus (NDV), glycoprotein B (gB) from Marek's disease virus (MDV) and VP2 from infectious bursal disease virus.

FIG. 8 illustrates construction of an expression cassette for FAV (serotype 10). The major late promoter and splice leader sequences 1 and 2 are inserted into a plasmid vector as well as multiple cloning sites for insertion of foreign DNA and a poly A recognition site. All these are flanked by unique restriction endonuclease recognition sequences (NotI) for insertion into the unique restriction endonuclease site in the FAV genome or blunt ended into any referred site of the FAV genome.

Construction of Recombinant FAV'S

1. Construction of FAV10-VP2 recombinant

The Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) VP2 gene was inserted into the expression cassette as described in FIG. 8 . The expression cassette was isolated as a NotI fragment and cloned into the unique NotI site previously engineered into the FAV NdeI/3 fragment. The plasmid containing the VP2 gene was linearized and transfected together with FAV SpeI/l DNA into CK cells. This plasmid was deposited at the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories on Mar. 11, 1995 and can be identified in the bacterium E.coli DH52 pFMLP 234. This bacterium has been given the accession number N94/8878.

2 . Construction of FAV(10) thymidine kinase recombinant

The Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV) thymidine kinase (IK) gene (1089 bp) was inserted into an expression cassette, as described in FIG. 8 , utilizing the CMVIE promoter and SV40 poly A sequence signal to regulate expression. The TK expression cassette was isolated as a NotI fragment ( FIG. 8 ) and cloned into the unique NotI site previously engineered into the FAV NdeI/3 right hand end fragment of serotype (10) (FIG. 7 ). Specifically, a 753 base pair deletion was made between the ClaI and SacI restriction sites. The 753 bp deletion removes a potential open reading frame. This ORF has been identified as being unique to serotype 10 with identity at the amino acid level to a hypothetical fowlpox ORF. The plasmid containing the TK expression cassette, flanked by the FAV NdeI/3 fragment, was linearized by digestion with NdeI and transfected, together with FAV genomic DNA, into CK cells. A recombinant FAV 10-TK was selected by passage through methotrexate, a metabolic inhibitor that blocks the replication of TK deficient (wild type) viruses and plaque purified. Southern blot hybridization and probing with ILTV TK confirmed the insertion of the TK gene within the NdeI/3 fragment. The ability to isolate a FAV-TK recombinant by passage through methotrexate, demonstrates that a deletion could be made in the right hand end of the FAV genome and the potential to insert, and express, foreign genes within the right hand end of the FAV genome.

Selection based on expression of TK gene can be used to identify other nonessential sites of the genome.

The method described above can also be used to demonstrate essential regions of the FAV-10 genome. For example, the TK expression cassette was inserted in to the BglII sites of NdeI/3 right hand end fragment of FAV serotype 10. This insertion resulted in the deletion of 2791 base pairs, including two potential ORF's and a transcriptional termination sequence (AATAAA) after the second ORF. When this fragment was used in transfection experiments under MTAGG selection, no recombinant could be rescued, demonstrating that either one or both of these ORFs were essential.

The construction of these recombinants can be used to identify nonessential or essential regions of any FAV genome.

3. Construction of FAV8-Ch IFNγ recombinant

Insertions were made into sites between 70-100 map units of FAV serotype 8. An ORF was identified with homology to one in serotype 1 (CELO) (putative 36 kDa). Unique SnaBI and SmaI sites in the NheI/2 fragment (8.5 kb) were chosen for insertion of an expression cassette and the entire 1.3 kb sequence between these sites was deleted. This deletion removed most of the putative 36 kDa ORF and the potential polyadenylation signal (AATAAA) 3′ of the stop codon. FIG. 9 shows a detailed restriction map of the right hand end of FAV serotype 8. Unique restriction sites used for the insertion of an expression cassette are indicated by vertical dashed arrows. The 1.3 kb SnaBI-SmaI deletion region is shown by the solid triangle. The scale in kilobases and map units is shown at the top of the diagram. In a further construct a SnaBI-XbaI deletion (2.2 kb) was made which removed the remaining 5′ sequence of the putative 36 kDa homologue to 17 bp 5′ of a putative terminal ORF-1 which included a putative TATA transcription initiation site. In a further construct a SpeI deletion (50 base pairs) was made.

FIG. 10 illustrates the construction of a recombinant FAV with insertions made into a SnaBI-SmaI 1.3 kb deletion site. The chicken gamma interferon (Ch IFNγ) gene was cloned into the major late promoter splice leaders expression cassette. This cassette was inserted into the SnaBI-SmaI delete d region the SnaBI-XbaI deleted region or the SpeI deleted region of NheI fragment 2. The RHE cassettes containing Ch IFNγ were transfected with SpeI digested viral genomic DNA. The resulting FAV8-ChIFNγ recombinants were plaque purified and characterized by Southern hybridization and PCR.

4. Construction of FAV8-S1 IBV recombinant

The S1 gene from infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was cloned into the major late promoter splice leaders expression cassette. This cassette was inserted into the SnaBI-SmaI deleted region of NheI fragment 2 of FAV8. The cassette containing IBV S1 gene was transfected with SpeI digested viral genomic DNA. The resulting recombinant virus was plaque purified and characterized by Southern hybridization and PCR. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis verified that the recombinant produced S1 specific message RNA. Recombinants containing the S1 gene in the SpeI deletion site and the SnaBI-Xba deletion site were also constructed.

5. Construction of FAV-HN:NDV recombinant

The HN gene from Newcastle's disease virus (NDV) was cloned into the major late promoter splice leader expression cassette. This cassette was inserted into the SnaBI-XbaI deleted region of NheI fragment 2 of FAV8. The cassette containing the NDV-HN gene was transfected with SpeI digested viral genomic DNA. The resulting recombinant was plaque purified and characterized by PCR. Earlier work demonstrated that expressed HN product could be detected in the tissue culture supernatant of transfected chicken kidney cells when tested against a ND virus antigen by ELISA.

6. Construction of FAV-Ch MGF recombinant

The chicken myelomonocytic growth factor gene was cloned into the major late promoter splice leader expression cassette. This cassette was inserted into the SnaBI-SmaI deleted region of NheI fragment 2 of FAV8. The cassette containing the Ch MGF gene was transfected with SpeI digested viral genomic DNA. The resulting recombinant was plaque purified and characterized by PCR. Reverse transcription PCR verified that the recombinant produced Ch MGF specific message RNA.

Transcriptional Mapping

Message RNA (mRNA) was isolated from infected cell cultures at 6 hours or 20 hours post infection with either wild type serotype 8 or recombinant serotype 8 expressing ChIFNγ. Message RNA was purified using a Qiagen Direct mRNA Maxi kit and either transferred to nylon filters using the Ambion Northern Max-Gly kit or used in RT-PCT reactions using a Promega Reverse Transcription System. Fragments from the right hand end of the FAV genome were labelled with 32 P and probed. The ChIFNγ ORF was used as a probe against recombinant induced mRNAs. Analysis showed that transcripts could be detected from wild type infection for the 36 kDa homologue at approximately 20 hours post-infection. When recombinant induced mRNAs were probed with the 36 kDa gene, of the FAV8 ORF3, no transcripts were detected. A transcript was detected to ChIFNγ. These results show that the FAV-8 36 kDa and FAV-8 ORF3 were both interrupted by the insertion of the ChIFNγ expression cassette and that both these putative ORFs were nonessential. RT-PCR analysis was performed using primers designed to all putative ORF's in the right hand end of FAV 8. The analysis showed that mRNAs were detected at 6 hours post infection and that the 36 kDa ORF of FAV-8 was a late transcript. Using primers specific to ChIFNγ, a transcript was detected from the mRNA made using RT-PCR from recombinant FAV-ChIFNγ infected cells at 20 hrs post infection. The PCR product was cut from the gel, cleaned using a Qiagen gel purification kit, and cloned into the plasmid pGEM-T (Promega). The subsequent clone was sequenced and confirmed as ChIFNγ.

Biological Assay for ChIMNγ

Interferons (IFN) represent a family of cytokines that share the capacity to inhibit viral replication and to exert effects on immune function. IFN-γ is distinguished from IFN-α and β by its binding to different cell surface receptors and its high sensitivity to heat and low pH treatment [Weissmann and Weber (1986)]. Another distinction is the ability of IFN-γ, but not IFN-α or β, to stimulate macrophages to produce reactive nitrogen intermediates such as nitric oxide, nitrate and nitrite [Fast et al. (1993); Huang et al. (1 993)]. The biological activity of recombinant chicken gamma interferon (ChIFNγ) was measured by a nitrite release assay. Production of nitric oxide by HD11 chicken macrophages was quantitated by accumulation of nitrite in the culture medium as described [Lowentbal et al. (1995)]. Two-fold serial dilutions of test supernatants from cultures of CK cells that were infected with wildtype FAV8 or with rFAV-ChIFNγ were made in duplicate wells of 96 well plates. HD 11 cells were added to each well and the plates were incubated at 37° C. After 24 hrs, 50 μl of culture supernatant was added to 100 μl of Griess reagent and absorbance was read at 540 nm. Duplicate cultures were incubated in the presence or absence of 1% (v/v) rabbit anti-ChIFNγ serum [Lowenthal et al. (1997)] which blocks the bioactivity of ChiFNγ but not ChIFN type I. Normal rabbit sera or sera raised against an irrelevant antigen did not inhibit the activity of ChIFNγ. (FIG. 11 ). The results of this assay demonstrate that the recombinant ChIFNγ is expressed and is biologically active.

Vaccination Strategy

1. Vaccination with FAV-CFA 20

In these experiments day old chicks were used to represent immunoincompetent birds and 3 week old chickens as representative of chickens approaching immunocompetency. Day-old chicks were infected with CFA20 by aerosol spray. Virus was suspended in sterile isotonic saline at a dose of 5×10 7 /chicken. The birds were placed into a confined area and the virus sprayed into the air at the head height of the birds such that the spray contacted the eyes and beaks of the chickens. The coarse spray was delivered using a pump-action plastic spray bottle. The onset of serum antibody responses were monitored by ELISA and virus neutralization assays. The detailed results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2
Serum antibody response and virus clearance in day-old chickens
inoculated by aerosol with the FAV CFA20
	Days post-	Neutralization	ELISA titer	Virus
	inoculation	titer (CFA20) a	recovery b	recovery c
	0	0	0	+
	7	0	0	+
	14	0	0	+
	21	0	0	+
	28	0	125	+
		0	70	−
		0	240	−
	35	0	160	−
		0	300	−
		0	400	−
	42 d	0	160	−
		0	100	−
		0	200	−
	47	0	220	−
		0	110	−
		0	280	−
	54	0	100	−
		0	70	−
	a reciprocal of virus neutralization titer in serum against CFA20
	b reciprocal of ELISA titer against CFA20
	c virus recovery from the caecal tonsils of 3 chickens at each time point
	d re-inoculate with CFA20

Virus was recovered from caecal tonsils for 4 weeks post-infection, the disappearance of virus coinciding with the development of circulating antibody which could be detected by ELISA but not by the virus neutralization assay. No virus neutralizing antibodies were detected over the 7 week period of this experiment. However, attempts to re-infect these chicks with CFA20 at 6 weeks after the primary infection were unsuccessful as reflected by the failure to recover virus and the absence of an anamnestic ELISA antibody response in the serum.

When chicks were infected at 3 weeks of age virus could be recovered for only 1-2 weeks postinfection, and again the clearance of virus coincided with development of antibodies delectable by ELISA (Table 3).

TABLE 3
Serum antibody response and virus clearance in chickens inoculated
by aerosol at 3 weeks of age with the FAV CFA20
	Days post-	Neutralization	ELISA titer b	Virus
	inoculation	titer (CFA20) a	CFA20	recovery c
	0	0	0	−
	7	0	0	+
	14	0	260	−
		0	400	−
		0	440	−
	21	0	120	−
		0	220	−
		0	200	−
		0	140	−
		40	240	−
	35	40	100	−
		80	280	−
		160	280	−
	42	640	560	−
		80	140	−
		160	240	−
	a reciprocal of virus neutralization titer in serum against CFA20
	b reciprocal of ELISA titer against CFA20
	c virus recovery from the caecal tonsils of 3 chickens at each time point

Virus neutralizing antibodies could also be detected in the serum of these chickens but not before 4 weeks post-infection (7 weeks of age). This was 2 weeks after the clearance of virus from the caecal tonsils.

2. Vaccination with recombinant FAV-ChIFNγ

Commercial broiler chickens were vaccinated by eye-drop with either recombinant FAV expressing chicken gamma interferon ChIFNγ in the SnaBI-SmaI deletion at either day 1, day 3, day 6 or day 10 post hatch. Birds were housed in positive pressure isolators and maintained on a constant feed regime. Birds were weighed weekly for a period of 7 weeks. All birds vaccinated with the recombinant FAV-ChIFNγ showed increased weight gains which were significantly different from unvaccinated controls (Table 4).

TABLE 4
rFAV ChIFNγ vaccination of commercial broilers; t-test analysis
day 34 and day 42 post vaccination
	Day 34	Day 42
	p value	p value
	Unvaccinated vs day 1 vaccinated	<0.001	>0.05
	Unvaccinated vs day 3 vaccinated	<0.002	<0.05
	Unvaccinated vs day 6 vaccinated	<0.001	<0.05
	Day 1 vaccinated vs day 3 vaccinated	>0.2	>0.2
	Day 1 vaccinated vs day 6 vaccinated	>0.2	>0.2

In a further experiment commercial broiler chickens were vaccinated by eye-drop at day 1 post hatch with recombinant FAV expressing gamma interferon (rFAV IFNγ) or a recombinant expressing Ch MGF (rFAV-Ch MGF) or both recombinants simultaneously. Three other groups were vaccinated at day 6 post hatch with rFAV-IFN, rFAV-Ch MGF or both recombinants simultaneously. Other groups were unvaccinated. At day 7 post hatch groups were challenged with 5000 sporulated oocysts of the coccidiosis parasite Eimeria acervulina. One group was unchallenged. Weights were monitored daily post challenge. Birds vaccinated with rFAV-IFN or rFAV-Ch MGF had enhanced weight gains and maintained these under coccidiosis challenge.

3. Vaccination with recombinant FAV-S1

Commercial broilers were vaccinated by eye-drop with recombinant FAV S1 at day 6 post hatch (group 1) or unvaccinated (groups 2 and 3). At day 28 post vaccination, birds in groups 1 and 2 were challenged with IBV Vic S strain. Group 3 was unchallenged. At 6 days post challenge the tracheas from vaccinated, control challenged and control birds were scraped and the material used to inject into day 11 embryos. After 2 to 3 days allantoic fluid was collected. Day 11 SPF embryos were inoculated with first passage material (containing viral particles) and after 2 to 3 days allantoic fluid collected. The second passaged virus collected was analysed in an infectious bronchitis antigen ELISA using a monoclonal antibody specific to the N-gene (capsid) of IBV. All unvaccinated and unchallenged birds were negative. Unvaccinated and challenged birds were positive and therefore not protected from challenge with IBV. Birds vaccinated (12/13) with rFAV-S1 were negative, and therefore protected from challenge with IBV.

Sera from birds vaccinated with rFAV-S 1 were tested in an S1 antibody ELISA prior to challenge. No IBV antibody titers were detected. However, at day 6 post-challenge, IBV antibody titers could be detected in 13/15 birds vaccinated with rFAV-S1 and in 4/4 unvaccinated challenged birds. The results demonstrating that rFAV S1 provides protection at the respiratory mucosal surface when administered via the gut.

4. Vaccination with recombinant FAV10-VP2

Chickens were vaccinated with a recombinant fowl adenovirus carrying the gene for VP2 of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) or with CFA20. Birds were bled at 0 and 14 days and then weekly after the intraperitoneal administration of the vaccine at one day old. Sera were collected and tested for the presence of antibody against VP2 of IBDV and adenovirus by ELISA. The results in Table 5 show that antibody against VP2 was first detected in the group vaccinated with the recombinant, 14 days after vaccination and peaked at 28 days post-vaccination.

TABLE 5
Serum antibody response (reciprocal titer)
in chickens given an FAV-VP2 recombinant or CFA20.
	Time post-vaccination (days)
Vaccine	Antibody	0	14	21	28	35	42
FAV-VP2	VP2	<100	>400	400	1600	400	ND
FAV-VP2	FAV	<100	100	100	400	400	200
CFA20	VP2	<100	<100	<100	<100	<100	<100
CFA20	FAV	<100	100	100	200	800	800
ND = not done

The birds vaccinated with CFA20 did not have detectable antibody against VP2. Anti-adenovirus antibody was detected at 14 days post vaccination in both groups.

In a further experiment, chickens were vaccinated intravenously either with the recombinant adenovirus carrying the IBDV VP2 gene or with the CFA20. Both groups were challenged with virulent infectious bursal disease virus 21 days after vaccination. All birds were killed 4 days later and IBDV in the bursa of Fabricius determined by ELISA. The results in Table 6 show that birds which received the recombinant vaccine were all protected against the infection with viral antigen titers in the bursa of less than {fraction (1/4.)} In contrast all the birds immunized with the parental adenovirus had antigen titers of greater than {fraction (1/128.)}

TABLE 6
Protection against IBDV induced by the administration of
rFAV-VP2 or CFA20.
	Vaccine	Infected (10)	Titer
	rFAV-VP2	0	<¼
	CFA20	10	>{fraction (1/128)}

5. Administration of Consecutive Vaccines

Two combinations were employed for investigating the feasibility of consecutive vaccine by aerosol. In the trial the initial vaccination was with CFA19 (serotype 9) and this was followed later with CFA20. The results are shown in Table 7.

Vaccination with CFAI9 did not protect against infection with CFA20, (Table 7). Challenge with CFA20 4 weeks after vaccination with CFA19 resulted in the production of CFA20 specific virus neutralizing antibodies and CFA20 virus could be recovered for at least 7 days after challenge. No cross-neutralization between CFA19 and CFA20 was found by the in vitro neutralization assays.

TABLE 7
Consecutive vaccination: Serum antibody response of 3 week old
chicks infected by aerosol with the FAV CFA19, and re-inoculated
with FAV CFA20.
	Days post-	Neutralization		Virus b
	inoculation	titer a CFA19	CFA20	re-isolation
	0 c	0	0	−
	3	0	0	−
	7	20	0	+
		20	0	+
		20	0	+
	14	640	0	−
		>1280	0	−
		>1280	0	−
	28 d	>1280	0	−
		>1280	0	−
		>1280	0	−
	31	2400	80	+
		2400	40	+
		2400	80	+
	35	2400	160	+
		1200	60	+
	42	>2400	320	−
		>2400	320	−
	a reciprocal virus neutralization titer against either CFA20 or CFA19
	b virus re-isolation from caecal tonsils
	c inoculate by aerosol with CFA19
	d inoculate by aerosol with CFA20

The identity of viruses recovered from these chickens was confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis of their DNA. This demonstrated that only CFA20 was recovered after challenge of CFA19 vaccinated chickens.

6. Administration of Simultaneous Vaccines

Simultaneous vaccination of chickens with CFA20 and CFA19 by aerosol was also investigated. The results given in Table 8 show that neither the timing or magnitude of the antibody responses to either of these viruses was compromised by the presence of a second FAV infection.

TABLE 8
Simultaneous vaccinations: Serum antibody response of 3 week
old chickens inoculated simultaneously by aerosol with the
two FAV CFA10 and CFA19.
	Days post-	Neutralization		Virus b
	inoculation	titer a CFA19	CFA20	re-isolation
	0 c	0	0	−
	3	0	0	+
	7	0	0	+
		0	0	+
		0	0	+
	14	1280	0	−
		1280	0	−
		1280	0	−
	28	2400	20	−
		1280	40	−
		2400	20	−
	35	4800	1280	−
		4800	320	−
		9600	320	−
	42	>20000	1280	−
		>20000	320	−
	a reciprocal of virus neutralization titer against either CFA19 or CFA20
	b virus re-isolated from caecal tonsils
	c chickens inoculated with CFA19 and CFA20

The virus neutralizing antibody response to CFA19 was first detected at 14 days post-infection and that to CFA20 at 28 days as found when these viruses were administered alone (Table 3). Restriction enzyme analysis of the recovered viruses showed that at 3 days post-infection only CFA20 could be isolated from the caecal tonsils, however by 7 days both viruses were recovered.

Although the foregoing specification refers specifically to fowl adenovirus vectors of certain serotype (4, 8, 9 and 10), it will be understood that live infectious avian adenovirus of any type may be employed in this invention. Similarly for the purposes of construction of a FAV vector eukaryotic promoter and leader sequences may be substituted, as well as mutants and variants of the specific sequences mentioned herein. It will be understood that immunization against a variety of diseases, and of a variety of different bird species is encompassed within the scope of this invention despite the fact that the invention has been exemplified only with respect to fowl and a heterologous sequence derived from infectious bursal disease virus. Other birds in which the vector is effective include, but are not limited to, turkeys, ducks, pheasants, quail and geese.

All of the references referred to herein are incorporated to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the present disclosure.

TABLE 9
Nucleotide Sequence of the right hand end of fowl adenovirus serotype
10 (CFA20) genome
GAATTC                                                                    TCCGCGGTCGTACCATCTCAGAACAGCCAATTCATCGCTCAAATCGTCTGTCTTCCTGGGAGGACCCTCCTCTC
EcoRI
TCCACTCCGCTACCGAGCAGGGTTCGGAGCCGTTAAAGGCACACTTCCAACGGGAACCATCTTCAAAAGTTGATCCGGGA
GGAAGACCGCACAAGGCGATCAAAACAAACTAAAAAACACGCACGATAAGGTCACATGCAATCGACCCTAACCTATTCTC
CCAAAATGATACTCACCACAATCACGCAATGCATAGAGTACGGCTCAGAGGCTCCTTCTCGAGTGGAGTACTAGCCGGGC
GAATAAACTCCGATCCGAACATCCGCCATATAAACACAGCTTTCGTAAAATATTAACAGACACTAACTTCCTCATTGACC
CGCTTAATTGCCGTGTCAGCAGGTGGCTGACAATGAGTCATCGATGAGTCATCGCTAAGTCAACAATGGAACTTTCCACT
TGCTAACAAAGCGAAACCAAAAGTTAATCATTAACGCCACACCCATGATGAGTCATCGCCAGTAAACCTTAAAAGGACGG
CTCCAGCCCGCAGCGAAAAGCAACCTTACTTCCAACACGAGGGCTCTGCGGAACCATGGCCGAAGAGTGGCTCGACTTTT
CACCCCTCCACTTCGCCGAATCCAGAAGGAGAAGGTGAGGACATGTCCCTCGAGACCGAGTGCCATGCCCCTCTTCACTA
TATTTACCATGCTGTCTTTTGATGACCTCCTGGCGGCTGCCGGTCCCCCCGGAATACTCTCCGGAAGAGAACCTGTAAAC
TCCGTCGCTCGACACCATACAGGTAGGAGACATCATGGCCCAACTCGCGTATTCCGATAGAGGGACCTCCGACCAACCCT
TCCGACTCTTCCTCCAGTTGGGATTCAGTACTTTTCTGCGCTGTCAACTCGTATGACTTAAACTATACCATTGTCTTTTC
CAGACTCCGAGAGTCTTGGCAATCGCACGGCGCATACTTGAAAACCGTACCTTCGCTCGAGTGCGTGCAAAACGACGGGA
AATTCCAGGAAGCATACTGCTCACTGGTGAGAATGCACGCCGTTTCCGAAGATGCCACTGAGCATCTCAATGAACTCTTA
CTAGACGAAACCCACTACCAACATTGCGAACCCCTCAATGACATGTTGGACTTGGGATTCCGGTGGCTCAATGACCTAAA
AGGAGGAATGGAGTGGTGCATGGACACTGCCCTGGATCGCGCATCAAAAGTCATGCCTCTGACTGACTATCAACCACAAT
AAATAAATTTTACATTAAAAACTTTCTGAGTAAGATTTTTCGAACCTGAAAAATTCTAAGTGCGGTTAATCATTAATCAA
GTTAAATATTAAACTCTAGTTAATTATTAAACTCTAGTTAAATATTAAACGCTAGTTAAATATTAAGCTGAAGTTAATGA
TTCATCCGAGTTAATGGATAACCTTGAGTCAATGATTAACTCTGGTTAATATGTAACTCGGCTAATGATTAACATGGGTT
AACCATTAACATGGTTTAACCATTAACTATAGTTAATAAATAACTCTAAGTTAATAAGTAGCTAGTGACCGTACGATTGA
CGTCACGGTGACCGTCGGTGTTGCCATGGAGATGTAACCATGGTGATGTTAAACATTAAACTGCTGACACCAGTGGAATT
TTCCATGTTAACCATTAACATGGACCTTGTCCTGTTTGTTTATTCACCATGGCAACATACCATATATGGACATCCGACTC
CGCCTCCCCCGTTATACATTAACGATGGCGTGATAGGCGGAGCTCTCTCCCATTGGCTCTCAATGATGTCATGTAGTTAC
ACATTAGCCCGTTCAACCTATATAGGTAGACCAGGTAGGCAGGTTCAGACAGACAGACCGGGGACCAGCAGACTGAACGG
AGCTCTCCACTAAACCGGTAGGCCTCTATATTGAATCGATGAATAAATACCGAATCACTCAATATTATGATTTTCCATTG
AAATTAATGGTGATTTTCTTCAATCAAACTCCCACCCCCCTTGGCACCCCCCTGTACACCCCCCTGTACAGGCGACCACC
CCCTATGATCACCCCCCTGTACAGCCGACCACCCCCCATGACCACCCCCCTGTACCATTACAGCCAATGGGATCCCATCC
ATTGACATCACATGATCCCCGCTGGCCCTATGAGGTGGCTACCATATCCTTCACCCTATTGGATCCCATGCCGAGGGGCG
GAAAAGATGGGAGGCGCCCGTACCTCGACAACCAATTGGCTGAGGCCCTTCAGTTCAGTTCCGCCCTCACTTCCGACCAA
TTCAATGCATTGGAGTTCACCACGTGGGTTGTNAAGGGGCGGAGACTCCTCCATAAGGGAAAGCAGTACCGCCTTTACAA
CAGGGCGGCCGGGATATGCAGTATCCACCAATGGAGAGAAGTGAGGCCCAGCTGACCATGGAGGCCGTAGCCAATGGGCT
GTGGGATCTGCCGGATGAAATACTCGGGAGCCCCCTACTGCACAATACTGGTATACACACCTGGGGCTGGGGGGTCCCCG
TCACTACCGAGATCAGCCTGAGGATGGTGGTAAAGACCCTCCGTGTCAATACTCCATTCCACCGCCAGGGGGAGATGCCT
ATACCGGTATCCAAGGAGGTCCATGTAGAAGCCCCCCAACATTTTGAAGACATGCTCCAGGGGGTCCTGACGACCACCGA
TCTAAAAAAGCATATTCCTAGACCCATCTTTTCCCGATTTTTTAACGAAAAACCCTCGGTTTGGGCCTATAAGACTTTCA
AATATTCGGCCGGTGAAGAAAAATGGCGAGTGGTGGTCCCTACCGAGGGTCCCTATGGGGGTCCTAAGAACCCTGTTTCT
TTGCAAAACCTCGCGAAAAGGGTGTGTTGAAAATTGTCTAAAAATGAAAAGGGCGGGGCTACGGTTCATGCCATATTAAT
AAACCAATCAGAAAACAGAAATACGACTCCTCCTCTTTGTGGGCGGTCCTGGGGAACACCAATAGAAATAGAGACTCCGC
CTATGAGGCGGAGACTTAGTTACTGAATAACTTTTCGGACTTAGAAAAATTTTCACCTGCTTAATCATTTACCAATGGGC
CTACGTCACTATGCTCCGCCTTTAACTCCGCCTATAGCTCCACCTCTCTCTCCGCCCCGATGGACTTTGGACTTTAGATC
ACATGACTGCTACGTCACGGAGGGAGGAGCTTCGGACTTAGAAATTTTTCGCTCTATCAATCATTAACTTGACGATGGAC
TTTGAACCCCACGTAAGCGACGGGGAGGAGCTAACGTTAATCTTCAACTCGGACTTTGCCCGGAAGCGGAGCTTCGGACT
TAAACTTTAACTCGAACTTTGTCCGGAGGCGGAGCTCCGGACTTAAAAAAATTTTTCACCGCTATAATCATTATCCAACT
GAATCACATGACACAAAGGAAGAGACTGTAATCAAATTTAATTATTAACAACTCAGTCAACATTTACATCATCAGCGGTA
CAAAGTCCAGTACATACACGCCACGCCCCAAGACATTGAAATGCTTCCTCCGTCACGCCCCAGCGCCCCATGCGGTACTG
CTCGGGACACCACTGATTATCATAGAGCTTCAACCACACCTGGCACGAAGAGCCGGTATCTCTATAAAAAACCAAATGCA
GGGCCGTCGCATATCACTCCGACACTTCTCCAACTTTCCCTTAGTCTGATCGGAACAATGGATACAAATTAACAAAGTTG
CATGACATTCGCACACGGAAAACTCTTGCAACCCGAACATGTACTTCAGAGGACTGCATTCGGGACTGTACTTCTCAACA
AGTTTAGTC                                                                        CATATG                                                                    AACTTCAATCCGCGATGAACATATCTGAAAACCTCAGGCCTCTGACACCATTCCGGAACTGCCGC
NdeI
TCCGAACACAAGGTACATTGTCATCTGAAATTTAAGCCATTTATTCATACACGCACTCGTAAATACATCCCTCTCTACTG
CCAACCGCTTCTGATGTTATGCAATATTCACCCAAGCGGTACTCTTGCGCGTATCCCTCGTTACGCAAAAGGCATACACC
CTTAATCCACTTCTCACTGT                                                                        CATATG                                                                    GATATTTCCCAAAAAACAAACACTTAACAGCCAAACCAACCCCCTCCAGATACG
NdeI
CGCTTCCAAAATCCGAACCAAGGCAAAAAACAATCGATACAAAATCCTCCATCTTGCAAAGCATAGAGATAAAAGAAACC
CGTTACTAGTCCAGGAAACACTTTTCCTAAATCCAATTTCTCCCAAGCATTAATTATATCACACGCGCGAAAATCGTGAA
ACATAGCCAGGTTCAATTCCCATAAGGGCGCCAACATAAGTAACCCAACATTAAGTAACCCAACATTACCCACCGCACAC
TGGGCTGTCAAATGAGCGCTCTGCAGTCCTCCAAACTCTGTAGTACTTATACAGTCTACCTCTTTAATCATTAACCATAG
ACGTCATGGAAAATTTCCAACCCCACCCAGAATGAATCACCGGTCAAAGGTCACTTCCTCATTACCTAGATAAGGATCAC
AAAGTACTTCCTCATTACCTAGATAAGGTATCACAAGGTACATGAGTCACCCATAATGATACTGAATCAGCGGTTTCGGT
CACGTCAGTATCAGACAATCATTAACCAGAGATTCCTATAAACTTTCCGCAGACTCGCACCACGGTATTCCATCCGAAGA
CTGATCCAGTCTGAAGACAATCTTCTCTTCGGTGAACAGTCCTGAGGAAAAACACCATGCGGGTAAGCATCATTCATCCA
TTATACCCCTTTTTACTCTTTCACCTAACCTCGCTAACAT                                                                        AGATC                                                                    CCTACCTCTCGGTCCACAGCTGTTAACTCCATAC
BglII
AGAACAAACCCACGGTCCCTACCAAAGGACCCATGGCCAACTTCACCTCTGTTCGCCATGAAGGTCACATCAATTACTTT
TGGTATGGGCAACACGGAATGGCACCCTCGAAAATCCACGGTCCTCTCCATGATGATGACATGATATACTGGAGACTCCG
TGACCGTGGGTTCCTGAGAGGAGGCAGAGAAAAGAACCTGATCCTACTCGTCCATGGATGGCACGGCCTCCACCGCACCT
TTGATATCTTCTTCAGCTTCCTCCGCTTCCACCAGAAGATGACACCAGACGTAGGTGTGCTCTTAGTAGATTGGGGGGTA
CAAGGTGCTGACAAACTAATTCTAGGAGATGCTGCCTACCACGCCGTCACCATCAATATTGATGGCCTACTCAAGAACCT
GAACCGCACCAACTTACACTGCATAGGACACTCCTTGGGGGCTCATGCATGCGGTGCTATTTGTCGAAGATTCAACCAGC
TCCAAAAGAAGAAATGCACTAGAATTGTTGGACTCGACCCAGCAGGGCCTCTCTTCAAAACCAACTCTCCCTATCCTTAC
CTCACCAAAGCCCGTCTGTCTAAAGAAGATGCTGACTATGTAGCTCTCTTTATGACGAACCGACGGATGATGGGACTCCA
CGAATTGGAAGGAGATGAGTACATTACCCCCTATATAGACGGAACCTATCTGAACCATTGTCCTTTCGTCGGTAAATGGA
CAGGCACCATCACGGCAGAAAACTACCAAGGAAGAAAGGTCACTGAATACATCGATTTAGGAACGGTGGCCAAATCGGGA
ATAATCCCACACACCATGGAATGCATGCTCACACCTCATGGCCCCTGTTCTTTTCATGGTGTCCCTAGACACCCGCCAAG
GCCTACCTGCATTCCGGTATGTTGACAACCCTCCCAAAGATGAAGGTGCCATGCATACGGTTTGGAATGGGTATACCATA
GGGAAAGACTACCTATGACCAGCCTATTTCAAACACGAAACTATCTGGCTTAGTACGCTCACGACAGATGGAAACCAGCT
AGCTAGCACCCTTC                                                                        GAATTC                                                                    CAACACGAAGATTCCATAGATCCGTCTTTCATGGCAATGGCAATTAGCGACAAAGGTTGC
EcoRI
ATCTGGTCCGGCTCCCATCTGAGCTACCACTACAGTATCATCCCTTACGGAAACAAATACGATCTGGTAACATCCTTCAG
TGCACTCTCCCCTGGAATGGTAGACGCACACTTCCTCGAAGTCTACATGAACTACGAACACTGCCCCGTCTATCTAGCCC
GATTTCTGATTCCCAAACCGTACCAACTGAAGTTACCTAGACCCACCACAGCCGGTCTCTCTTCCGAAATCTTAAGATGC
AATAAACAAACCACATATACCTGGAACTGCTACAGAACATGGCAGCAAGCTGTCCTACCCGTGTACCGCCAGCAACTCGA
TCTTACGGGTGACGGAAAATACAACATCCAGGTCCCTCCCAAACATGGATGCCTGAAAGAACAATCCAACTTTACCGATA
TGTTCCGTACATACATGGGTGAATATGAAGTCTTGTCTGAGCAGACTGTCATAGTAACCAGCTTGCCGTCACCGTTCGAA
CTCATCCGTATTGCTCTGAGAGATCCTGCCTCACCCGCCATTCAAAACATCATGACCTATTGGGACATGTGCGTACCCGT
AGCTAGCACTTGTAGCTTCAAAGTAAATCGAGCAACGAGAACTCTCAGCATAACCTGCCCCGAACCGAATACCTACTGGA
TCTCCTTCTTTTACCAATGGGAAGAAGTCTTGCTCAAGATTAATGTCCATCCTAAACCCACTACCACTACCACCACTACC
ACTACAACCACTACTCCCACTACCACTACAACCACTACTCCCACTACCACTACAACCACTACAACCACTACTCCCACTAC
CACTACAACCACTACTCCCACTACCACTACAACCACTACAACCACTACTCCCACTACCACTACAACCACTACTCCCACTA
CGACCTCCACCGAATCAATCACAGAACCGAGCTCCGCTTGTGATGAAGAAGAAGATGAAGATTGTTGGTTCGAAAATATC
GCGATCAGAATGAAGTTCCTCAAAAAGGTACAACTCCCGTTCAAAGTAGCGAACAATGAAATGTCAGAACCAACTACTGC
TGCTACTACTCCTTCCAGCCCTGCCGCCATAGAGGAAGAAAGCAACAGCAGAGCATCTACACCACCCCCTCTTCAACTCA
CCGTATCCCCAGGTACTAACCCCCCTCTTCAAGAATTCCTCAAAGCGGAACCATCATCTAAAGATTCCCTCCACAAGGAC
CAAGACGCCACGGTCACCATTCCTGCCACCATTGGACTCTTAGCCCTAGTCTGTCTCAGTGTCATCGTTGCCGTATTCAT
TGCCCTTAGAAGGAGAGGGAGAGGTCAAGGCCAACCTTATTGTTGTTCCTGGAAGAGCAATAATACTGTATACCAGGAAA
CTACTGAAATGTTGTAAAATTTATAACGCTATAAAAGTGTCTGACTACAATAAAGATAAGAGCATAATCAACTCGGGTGT
CCGCCCATTCCTTTCTCTATATATTCTGTCACGAACAGATTTCAGACAGAAGGCGACATGGGAGGCGAGAA                                                                        GAGCTC                                                                    CGT
SacI
AAAGCTAGACAGGTTCCCCTACTGGGTACCCTAGAAGAAATAGATAGGTATGCTAAGCTAATCGCGGAACAGTGGCCCCA
TCGGGTCCGGCAAACACTTTCTAGTTATAGG                                                                        AGATCT                                                                    GGAAGGTACCTTACATGCGGGGCAACATTTAAAGGAATACTGC
BglII
GAAGTGCTATATCTACCTTCCCCAAAAAGAATGACCGTCATTGGCATAGTGGACAACGTCATCTCATTCGCGGATGGATT
GCAAGTAGTCATTTTGGTGGCGGAAGATAAAACCGTCTATGGCTACGAAGAAGACACTCTCCATAAATTAGCATCCACCA
TACCAGAATTCTTTCGTATCGGAATGCAGAACTTTGGAACCGAAGTATTTCACTGCGGTTCCCACATCCCCCCATTGGTA
AGTGCAGATCCCACACCCTCTCATTACTTACCTGATAGATACTAACACACTATATTCCAGTCCGAGGAGGAGCGTCAGCG
TGATCCCGAGATAAGGCGGCTCCGAGAAGAAGCTCGAAACTTCATATCAGCCGGCGAAAGAAAAACAGACTAACCAACCG
CAATCCGATCCGAACATAGCCACGCAATGGTGTGC                                                                        GGATCC                                                                    ACTTAAAATAGATTACGCGTATTCCCAGAAATAAACTGA
BamHI
TTGAAATGAGAGGCAAGAGCTGTGTCATTATTTCGCGTTCGTTCGCAAATACGGAAGTCCATCACGGATATCCGTAATCG
TCATTTGGGTGGAGACCATGAGTC                                                                        ATCGAT                                                                    GACTCACTTAAACGGTTTCGGTTTCGGCTATCACGACGTGCGCGCGGCGG
ClaI
TTGTAAGTGTGTCAAAAGACGCGGTTATATAAGATGATG-

TABLE 10
Nucleotide Sequence of the right hand end of fowl adenovirus serotype 9
(CFA19) genome
GGATCC                                                                    ACAGAGAACCTTCCGCCAACTCGGTATACGCTATCTCGGTGGTTACATCGTATTTCCCATATCTTAAAGTCTGC
BamHI
ACACTATAGCCTCCCATATATACGCTGCTATCATGTGAAGCAACTACTATAATCATAATAGAAGAAACAAAGTCCTTCTT
AAAATTTGGGGAATACGACATTTCCGTCATATACTTTATGCTGTAATGGTTGAAGTAACTGTCATATCTATAATCACGAC
TAAGTGTATACCCATTCCAAGTACTCCTTACCGGTCCTACCCTCGACCCTTCCTGTAATACATGGAACACAGGCAAACCT
GTCTTTACATCCAGGGTTTTCAAAAACTTTGGAACAATCATTCGATGATAGCATCCACTTAAACTAAACGTATTACCCCA
GGAAAATTCCTCACATACTGTCGCTCCCCAAACATTTTCTCCGCATACTCTTCCGGACCATCCACCGTGTATACCACAGC
TTCTACCGCCCTTATCTTCCACCATTAAATCTTCCGAAGCCGTGTACCCACCAGTGATCCACGAATACTGAGTCTTTAGA
ACGACCACATAATCCGCATCCAACTTATCTAATCCACCGCTTACAAATGTCGGTTCTAGCCCGACTATTCTGATACACCG
ATGGCCCTTGCTCATTTGTGAATACTGTCTACATATCGTCGAGCAAGCATGAGCTCCTGCCGAGTGACCTATACAGTGCA
ATTTTTTAGCGTCGGGGATATCTACCAGAAACTTCCTAAAATCCGCATGTAAACCATCCGTATCATAGTACAACCGATAG
TCCACCAACACAACACCTACGGCGGGAGTCATCTTCTGATGAAATCGCAACACCTTCCTAAAATCGTCATATCCCAGATA
CCATCCTGGTATAAGCAGCACTATGTCTGATTTCCCGGCGAAGGCATTGTGCATTTTATGGTATACACCATACTCGTATC
TCGCATCGTGGAACTTCGGTACACCACCATGCGATCCATACCACGTGATTCTCGAAGGAAGTCTGTTCGGATTTCCGGCG
CTTTTCGGAGCTTCCAGTTTAGTAGCCGGAGGCATTGCCACACAGGACCGATTGACCAAATCATGGCAACCTTCTGATTT
CGTACCCGAAAATGCGGAGGCCCCGAGGAGCACCCCGAATAACTGAAACAGAACGCAAAATTTAGACCGGTACCCTCCCA
TACGATTATCACGTCCCAAAGCCAAATATCACGGTACTCACCAGCGCAAAAATCTTCATGAAGATCTGGGGCAAGAGCCG
CACAACAGTCCACCTGAATCTGAGACAGCTTACCGGCGACTGTACCAAACCGGTGTGCCACCGCCGAATTTATTCTCTCA
ATCTATTAATGTTTAACTAAACAAACTTGCTGACACTTGATAAATATTTACTGACCTAGACAATTCCGAGAACTTCCTTA
TTACCGTGACTATGCAGTATCAAGATAAACCCTTCCAAAGTTCGACTGAGTACACGGTGTACTTCCTGTCATAAAATATC
ACTTCTAAATATAGTCCTAGGTAGAAACTATAAATGGTAAGAGACAACACACTGATTCTTAGAAAAACCTCACAGAACAA
GATGAACCTCACATTATCCTGACTCTTCCTTACGAACTGAAATAACCGGTAAGTCATAAAAATGATTTTCCTTTTGACAT
TGCGTACGCGGAAGCAAACTAGAAAAATCGAACTTGGAATTTTCCAAGTCGAGTTAACTATTAACTTGATGACGTCAATT
GGATTAATCATTAACTCGAATTAGTTAATGATTAACTAGATCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAGTCTCAGTTAATGATTAACTA
ACCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAACCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAATAGTTAAACATTAACTAGTAGTTACTTATTAACTTATGA
CTCATGGATTAATTATTAACTAGTGACGTCACTAGTTAATCATTAAGCTTTCTATGCGTATGCATGAGAGATTCATGCGT
CAAATCAACAGCGTCAAATGACAAGCACAAGAACCGCCCGGCTGAAGCCCGACGCAGTAACCCATAGGATGTCCGACACC
GATGTTAGCTTCTTCGTGGTACGGATACCACAGCTCCTTGATGTCTTGAACTAGCTTCCAGAAGATGGCATCGTGCATAC
ACCACGGAGGTACGGCAACACCAAACACCACGTACAAAGGCATCTCCCGACACTCTGCAATTACAACTAGCATCAGAAAT
ACATCCAGCCGCTATTTGAAAAAAACAACAGGATCTCACCCAAAAAGAAAAAGTACTTACCCCGAAACCACCAGGAAATC
CCCCTTACGTGATAATCCGGATCTCGCTGACGCTCAAAGAAGCCGCCTTAAATACCGCTCCTTATCTCTCTTCGATTACC
TCAGTTACGCCCATTTCTTATCAGGTAAGATACGCAGGTAAGATACGCCCTTCCACATCAGCACGGAATGTGCTGACCAG
CTTACCGCGCCCGTTTTTAATATCCGTTAATTAGTAACTTAGGTGAATCACCAAACCACCTGCCGGCATATATCTACACC
CTTGATACGGCGGCATCCATTGAAGTCGAGCGCCACCATGGAGTCAACTACCGTATCCTCGATTCTGCTCCTATCCTTCT
TCGTATCTTCCATCGAATCCTATCCGCTCCTGCATAACTTCACGGCGCTCACG                                                                        GGATCC                                                                    GTGCTTACTCTTCCCTACAAA
BamHI
GGACATGACCGACCCTTTAAATTCGAATGGCGGCTGACAGATCAGACCAAAGTAGCAATCTC                                                                        GGATCC                                                                    TAGCACCGGCAT
BamHI
CAACTACCCGTCGGGTCCACTCAAAGGAAGAGTACATCTAAACGGCAGCGCCCTCATCGTTACATCCCTACGACTTAGTG
ACGCCGGTACCTATACAATCCTCTCAGAGGACAACACAGGAACTGAAATCGGATACTCCTATTACGTCGAAGTCAGAGGT
ATAGAACTTTCCCCTCCTTTTTCTACATGATATCCCGTTCCCTCTTTTTTCTTACCCCTAGCTTATTCTTCCTAGAACCG
ATGCAAGCTCCCACCCTCTATACGGATCGCTACAATGACTCATCTCCCATACGCCTCACATGCCAAGCTTCCAACAATCT
CCACCGTAATATCACATACCACTGGAAAACAGATTTAATACAGCCAACTAACTCGACTCGATCTATCACCTTAAACATCG
AAGACTATATATCCGTTACCTGCACAGTCACTGATGGAGTCAGCAAAAACAGCATCACGATTATGGTTCCGTTGAGAGGT
AGTATTCGGTTTCCCGTTATCTCCCTATACTACGTAATCATGCCCACCCTTTTAACCCGTATCTTTACAACAGATCCTTC
TCCACCTACGCCTTACGGTTTGCATCCCACTATCATTTTCCTGAGTGTCCTCTGCATGATCCTCATCACCGCAATTACCG
TCTACTTTGTGAAGAAGCATTGCTGCGATAAGCAATATAAAATAACTTGCATTAACCCTTACCGAGAATGCTTCGGTGGC
GCCGGTCTCGTTTAATCTCGTTTAAATAAAAACCACTATAATCCCCGCTTCCTATAATCTCTACTTCCTATGATTAAATG
GGTAATTAAATGATGGGTAATTAAGTGGTGTCAATGATCAAATAATGATTCGGAAACGATTTCGGGAAAAATGATTTTAG
GAATCAATGATCATTATCAAAAATAAATGATTTATTTATAAGACGTGTTTTTGATGATTGATACGATTAGTAAATCACAT
GATTAGAAACACATGATTAGAAACACAGTTTAATCATCAATCGAAATCACCGCGCAAGATATGGACAGTCACGTTCTCCT
CTGATGTCCTATCCATAGATTCGCTGTCCGTAGAATCAGAGGCGCAGAGCATCCGCCGAAACCAGAAAGTTATCGCTACC
ATCAGCAATAACAACATAATTAACGCGATCGGCAGCCACACTGGAAACTCGCCGGTCTGATTGGATACCAGTCCTCCGCC
GGTCTTATAAGTGGTCTCCTCGATCTTCTGATCCTCCTGAGTCAAACCAGGAATTACCACTACGTAAAATCCGGTCTTTG
AATCCTGTTGTAAGTCTAGCGTATTAGTATACAGTCCCGAATCGGCAGGTGTTACGTCTCTAATAGTAACGCAATTGGAT
GTGGCATTGTAATGCGTGCGGCTCTTATAGTTAGCATACACTATGGGGTTACCCAGAGCTTTATAAAGCTGTAATACGAA
CACGGTAGACGCGTGCTCGTTAGAGGACTGAAACTCCCACTCCGTTATAGAAGCGGAGCTAGCATCCTTCCCACACATGC
GTAACTCTCCACCTTCCAAAACTAATATACGGCTCATGTTATGCACCTCAACCGTCGCATTGCCCGTAATATCCTTCACG
GTATACTGTATGGCATACGGTTTCCCACCGACAAAGGAACCGTAAGTCAACCAGCACCCGTTATTAGCCTTCAGCTTACT
CAGGTAAATAGTATTGCAACCACTATCTACCCTCGTTCTACCCATGTACCCGCTTTCAAGTCCAGGTTCTTTAACCCTCG
GAATCACAAATGCCGCCCTCTCCATCTTATTGCAATTGGGGGACGGGGAATGATACCAGAGGATCATAGTATGGTCCCTG
CACTCTCCTGTCCGTAGAGCCAGCTCCGGGTCCCGGGGAGCGCCAAAGCAGAGTCCCAGGACAGCAGCCAGCAGCAGGGC
AACGGACTTCATGATGAATGCGGGAACCAGCCAGCAGCAGCAGGTAGAAGGTGCGAGTACTCGAGGCAGGCGGGAATAAC
ACCGCACGCTTTCCACCCCGCTTAAATACACAACCCACACCGGTCATGGTCAAACATTACCTAGCCTACTCAGCACGGAA
AAGTACTCACCCTTAACACAGTTCGACTTATCAGGTACACACCCGTAACCTTCGCACCCCAAAGCGCACAGTCAGCACCA
TAAGGAAGTCGTAAAGTTACCCTTTGATTGCATTGTCATCATAAAAAACGCTGAGCAAACGGAAACGCCCCAAGTACAAA
TCTCTCTTCCGCCACGCCCTCGTTAATCAATAACTAGTCGCCGATACATATATACCCCCTCCGTTCCATCACACCTACAC
TACCTTCTCTCCGCACAGGCAACATCTCAATCCTTACTCTTCCGAATCCACTTCGCCGCCTTCGACATGAATCCGGTAAG
TATCAACTTTTTTCTAAGCTTATGCTTCTGACACCTCTGATCTTAATACCGCACCCCTTTTTTCTCAAAAAAGGTTTCGT
GCTTAACGCTTCTTCTATGCGTCATCATCCCGAGAGCCGATCCGCTTCCAATCACCCCCGCCTCTAAACCCGCTACCGAC
TCCGCCCGGACCGGCGCCTCCGTCATCACGACCCACTTACCCGCATCTCCGAGCGCCACCCCGTGCGACGAAATCTTGAG
CGAGGACTGTTGGTTCGAAAATGCCAGCGGTGATTACCAACCCCTACCCTGGGAACCGAAAGAGGAAACGGTTTCAGATC
AAAACCCTCTCACCGCAACCGACCCCATCGGTGACCGAATCCCCGCTATCATCCAGTCCCAGTCCCGCGCTTCTAACCGT
CCGACCAGTAAGGAACACACTTCTACTATCGCATCCATCTCGACCGTAGTCGGCATCGCGGTCCTCGTCATCCTGACCCT
CGTAGCCTACTTTACCAAGTACCCCAAACCGAGACCGCCCAGATCCATCTACATAGGAGTAGCTCCACCCGATATGGAAC
TCAAGGAAATATAATTCCAGCCCCACCCTTAACCCTACCTTTCCATGAGTCAGTATTTTCAATAAAGTTATATTGCAGTA
TTAATTCCGTTGTTTCCGCGTTCTTTCTCTCGCGCGGACAAAGTCCCTTCGACCAGGAAGTCCGGTATACGTCATTCCGC
GGTGTCATGATGACGCGCATAACTCACGACTGCCATCTGCCGGACAAACGCGGTACTACACTTAACACATAAACACCCGC
CTTTTTTCGATTCCCACCATAATCAGGCTTTGGTAAAAATTCGCAGATTCTAAAATCCGTATTCCTGCGCCCGCGATAAT
AGATCACGCCCACGACACGCCCT                                                                        AGCGCT                                                                    CTTATCACACGCTCTCTGCTGCCATCTAGCGGGCGGGAGCGGTAGTGCGAG
Eco47III
GTGACAGCAGCGTCATTCATGTAGGTATATATAGATGATG-

TABLE 10
Nucleotide Sequence of the right hand end of fowl adenovirus serotype 9
(CFA19) genome
GGATCC                                                                    ACAGAGAACCTTCCGCCAACTCGGTATACGCTATCTCGGTGGTTACATCGTATTTCCCATATCTTAAAGTCTGC
BamHI
ACACTATAGCCTCCCATATATACGCTGCTATCATGTGAAGCAACTACTATAATCATAATAGAAGAAACAAAGTCCTTCTT
AAAATTTGGGGAATACGACATTTCCGTCATATACTTTATGCTGTAATGGTTGAAGTAACTGTCATATCTATAATCACGAC
TAAGTGTATACCCATTCCAAGTACTCCTTACCGGTCCTACCCTCGACCCTTCCTGTAATACATGGAACACAGGCAAACCT
GTCTTTACATCCAGGGTTTTCAAAAACTTTGGAACAATCATTCGATGATAGCATCCACTTAAACTAAACGTATTACCCCA
GGAAAATTCCTCACATACTGTCGCTCCCCAAACATTTTCTCCGCATACTCTTCCGGACCATCCACCGTGTATACCACAGC
TTCTACCGCCCTTATCTTCCACCATTAAATCTTCCGAAGCCGTGTACCCACCAGTGATCCACGAATACTGAGTCTTTAGA
ACGACCACATAATCCGCATCCAACTTATCTAATCCACCGCTTACAAATGTCGGTTCTAGCCCGACTATTCTGATACACCG
ATGGCCCTTGCTCATTTGTGAATACTGTCTACATATCGTCGAGCAAGCATGAGCTCCTGCCGAGTGACCTATACAGTGCA
ATTTTTTAGCGTCGGGGATATCTACCAGAAACTTCCTAAAATCCGCATGTAAACCATCCGTATCATAGTACAACCGATAG
TCCACCAACACAACACCTACGGCGGGAGTCATCTTCTGATGAAATCGCAACACCTTCCTAAAATCGTCATATCCCAGATA
CCATCCTGGTATAAGCAGCACTATGTCTGATTTCCCGGCGAAGGCATTGTGCATTTTATGGTATACACCATACTCGTATC
TCGCATCGTGGAACTTCGGTACACCACCATGCGATCCATACCACGTGATTCTCGAAGGAAGTCTGTTCGGATTTCCGGCG
CTTTTCGGAGCTTCCAGTTTAGTAGCCGGAGGCATTGCCACACAGGACCGATTGACCAAATCATGGCAACCTTCTGATTT
CGTACCCGAAAATGCGGAGGCCCCGAGGAGCACCCCGAATAACTGAAACAGAACGCAAAATTTAGACCGGTACCCTCCCA
TACGATTATCACGTCCCAAAGCCAAATATCACGGTACTCACCAGCGCAAAAATCTTCATGAAGATCTGGGGCAAGAGCCG
CACAACAGTCCACCTGAATCTGAGACAGCTTACCGGCGACTGTACCAAACCGGTGTGCCACCGCCGAATTTATTCTCTCA
ATCTATTAATGTTTAACTAAACAAACTTGCTGACACTTGATAAATATTTACTGACCTAGACAATTCCGAGAACTTCCTTA
TTACCGTGACTATGCAGTATCAAGATAAACCCTTCCAAAGTTCGACTGAGTACACGGTGTACTTCCTGTCATAAAATATC
ACTTCTAAATATAGTCCTAGGTAGAAACTATAAATGGTAAGAGACAACACACTGATTCTTAGAAAAACCTCACAGAACAA
GATGAACCTCACATTATCCTGACTCTTCCTTACGAACTGAAATAACCGGTAAGTCATAAAAATGATTTTCCTTTTGACAT
TGCGTACGCGGAAGCAAACTAGAAAAATCGAACTTGGAATTTTCCAAGTCGAGTTAACTATTAACTTGATGACGTCAATT
GGATTAATCATTAACTCGAATTAGTTAATGATTAACTAGATCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAGTCTCAGTTAATGATTAACTA
ACCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAACCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAATAGTTAAACATTAACTAGTAGTTACTTATTAACTTATGA
CTCATGGATTAATTATTAACTAGTGACGTCACTAGTTAATCATTAAGCTTTCTATGCGTATGCATGAGAGATTCATGCGT
CAAATCAACAGCGTCAAATGACAAGCACAAGAACCGCCCGGCTGAAGCCCGACGCAGTAACCCATAGGATGTCCGACACC
GATGTTAGCTTCTTCGTGGTACGGATACCACAGCTCCTTGATGTCTTGAACTAGCTTCCAGAAGATGGCATCGTGCATAC
ACCACGGAGGTACGGCAACACCAAACACCACGTACAAAGGCATCTCCCGACACTCTGCAATTACAACTAGCATCAGAAAT
ACATCCAGCCGCTATTTGAAAAAAACAACAGGATCTCACCCAAAAAGAAAAAGTACTTACCCCGAAACCACCAGGAAATC
CCCCTTACGTGATAATCCGGATCTCGCTGACGCTCAAAGAAGCCGCCTTAAATACCGCTCCTTATCTCTCTTCGATTACC
TCAGTTACGCCCATTTCTTATCAGGTAAGATACGCAGGTAAGATACGCCCTTCCACATCAGCACGGAATGTGCTGACCAG
CTTACCGCGCCCGTTTTTAATATCCGTTAATTAGTAACTTAGGTGAATCACCAAACCACCTGCCGGCATATATCTACACC
CTTGATACGGCGGCATCCATTGAAGTCGAGCGCCACCATGGAGTCAACTACCGTATCCTCGATTCTGCTCCTATCCTTCT
TCGTATCTTCCATCGAATCCTATCCGCTCCTGCATAACTTCACGGCGCTCACG                                                                        GGATCC                                                                    GTGCTTACTCTTCCCTACAAA
BamHI
GGACATGACCGACCCTTTAAATTCGAATGGCGGCTGACAGATCAGACCAAAGTAGCAATCTC                                                                        GGATCC                                                                    TAGCACCGGCAT
BamHI
CAACTACCCGTCGGGTCCACTCAAAGGAAGAGTACATCTAAACGGCAGCGCCCTCATCGTTACATCCCTACGACTTAGTG
ACGCCGGTACCTATACAATCCTCTCAGAGGACAACACAGGAACTGAAATCGGATACTCCTATTACGTCGAAGTCAGAGGT
ATAGAACTTTCCCCTCCTTTTTCTACATGATATCCCGTTCCCTCTTTTTTCTTACCCCTAGCTTATTCTTCCTAGAACCG
ATGCAAGCTCCCACCCTCTATACGGATCGCTACAATGACTCATCTCCCATACGCCTCACATGCCAAGCTTCCAACAATCT
CCACCGTAATATCACATACCACTGGAAAACAGATTTAATACAGCCAACTAACTCGACTCGATCTATCACCTTAAACATCG
AAGACTATATATCCGTTACCTGCACAGTCACTGATGGAGTCAGCAAAAACAGCATCACGATTATGGTTCCGTTGAGAGGT
AGTATTCGGTTTCCCGTTATCTCCCTATACTACGTAATCATGCCCACCCTTTTAACCCGTATCTTTACAACAGATCCTTC
TCCACCTACGCCTTACGGTTTGCATCCCACTATCATTTTCCTGAGTGTCCTCTGCATGATCCTCATCACCGCAATTACCG
TCTACTTTGTGAAGAAGCATTGCTGCGATAAGCAATATAAAATAACTTGCATTAACCCTTACCGAGAATGCTTCGGTGGC
GCCGGTCTCGTTTAATCTCGTTTAAATAAAAACCACTATAATCCCCGCTTCCTATAATCTCTACTTCCTATGATTAAATG
GGTAATTAAATGATGGGTAATTAAGTGGTGTCAATGATCAAATAATGATTCGGAAACGATTTCGGGAAAAATGATTTTAG
GAATCAATGATCATTATCAAAAATAAATGATTTATTTATAAGACGTGTTTTTGATGATTGATACGATTAGTAAATCACAT
GATTAGAAACACATGATTAGAAACACAGTTTAATCATCAATCGAAATCACCGCGCAAGATATGGACAGTCACGTTCTCCT
CTGATGTCCTATCCATAGATTCGCTGTCCGTAGAATCAGAGGCGCAGAGCATCCGCCGAAACCAGAAAGTTATCGCTACC
ATCAGCAATAACAACATAATTAACGCGATCGGCAGCCACACTGGAAACTCGCCGGTCTGATTGGATACCAGTCCTCCGCC
GGTCTTATAAGTGGTCTCCTCGATCTTCTGATCCTCCTGAGTCAAACCAGGAATTACCACTACGTAAAATCCGGTCTTTG
AATCCTGTTGTAAGTCTAGCGTATTAGTATACAGTCCCGAATCGGCAGGTGTTACGTCTCTAATAGTAACGCAATTGGAT
GTGGCATTGTAATGCGTGCGGCTCTTATAGTTAGCATACACTATGGGGTTACCCAGAGCTTTATAAAGCTGTAATACGAA
CACGGTAGACGCGTGCTCGTTAGAGGACTGAAACTCCCACTCCGTTATAGAAGCGGAGCTAGCATCCTTCCCACACATGC
GTAACTCTCCACCTTCCAAAACTAATATACGGCTCATGTTATGCACCTCAACCGTCGCATTGCCCGTAATATCCTTCACG
GTATACTGTATGGCATACGGTTTCCCACCGACAAAGGAACCGTAAGTCAACCAGCACCCGTTATTAGCCTTCAGCTTACT
CAGGTAAATAGTATTGCAACCACTATCTACCCTCGTTCTACCCATGTACCCGCTTTCAAGTCCAGGTTCTTTAACCCTCG
GAATCACAAATGCCGCCCTCTCCATCTTATTGCAATTGGGGGACGGGGAATGATACCAGAGGATCATAGTATGGTCCCTG
CACTCTCCTGTCCGTAGAGCCAGCTCCGGGTCCCGGGGAGCGCCAAAGCAGAGTCCCAGGACAGCAGCCAGCAGCAGGGC
AACGGACTTCATGATGAATGCGGGAACCAGCCAGCAGCAGCAGGTAGAAGGTGCGAGTACTCGAGGCAGGCGGGAATAAC
ACCGCACGCTTTCCACCCCGCTTAAATACACAACCCACACCGGTCATGGTCAAACATTACCTAGCCTACTCAGCACGGAA
AAGTACTCACCCTTAACACAGTTCGACTTATCAGGTACACACCCGTAACCTTCGCACCCCAAAGCGCACAGTCAGCACCA
TAAGGAAGTCGTAAAGTTACCCTTTGATTGCATTGTCATCATAAAAAACGCTGAGCAAACGGAAACGCCCCAAGTACAAA
TCTCTCTTCCGCCACGCCCTCGTTAATCAATAACTAGTCGCCGATACATATATACCCCCTCCGTTCCATCACACCTACAC
TACCTTCTCTCCGCACAGGCAACATCTCAATCCTTACTCTTCCGAATCCACTTCGCCGCCTTCGACATGAATCCGGTAAG
TATCAACTTTTTTCTAAGCTTATGCTTCTGACACCTCTGATCTTAATACCGCACCCCTTTTTTCTCAAAAAAGGTTTCGT
GCTTAACGCTTCTTCTATGCGTCATCATCCCGAGAGCCGATCCGCTTCCAATCACCCCCGCCTCTAAACCCGCTACCGAC
TCCGCCCGGACCGGCGCCTCCGTCATCACGACCCACTTACCCGCATCTCCGAGCGCCACCCCGTGCGACGAAATCTTGAG
CGAGGACTGTTGGTTCGAAAATGCCAGCGGTGATTACCAACCCCTACCCTGGGAACCGAAAGAGGAAACGGTTTCAGATC
AAAACCCTCTCACCGCAACCGACCCCATCGGTGACCGAATCCCCGCTATCATCCAGTCCCAGTCCCGCGCTTCTAACCGT
CCGACCAGTAAGGAACACACTTCTACTATCGCATCCATCTCGACCGTAGTCGGCATCGCGGTCCTCGTCATCCTGACCCT
CGTAGCCTACTTTACCAAGTACCCCAAACCGAGACCGCCCAGATCCATCTACATAGGAGTAGCTCCACCCGATATGGAAC
TCAAGGAAATATAATTCCAGCCCCACCCTTAACCCTACCTTTCCATGAGTCAGTATTTTCAATAAAGTTATATTGCAGTA
TTAATTCCGTTGTTTCCGCGTTCTTTCTCTCGCGCGGACAAAGTCCCTTCGACCAGGAAGTCCGGTATACGTCATTCCGC
GGTGTCATGATGACGCGCATAACTCACGACTGCCATCTGCCGGACAAACGCGGTACTACACTTAACACATAAACACCCGC
CTTTTTTCGATTCCCACCATAATCAGGCTTTGGTAAAAATTCGCAGATTCTAAAATCCGTATTCCTGCGCCCGCGATAAT
AGATCACGCCCACGACACGCCCT                                                                        AGCGCT                                                                    CTTATCACACGCTCTCTGCTGCCATCTAGCGGGCGGGAGCGGTAGTGCGAG
Eco47III
GTGACAGCAGCGTCATTCATGTAGGTATATATAGATGATG-

TABLE 10
Nucleotide Sequence of the right hand end of fowl adenovirus serotype 9
(CFA19) genome
GGATCC                                                                    ACAGAGAACCTTCCGCCAACTCGGTATACGCTATCTCGGTGGTTACATCGTATTTCCCATATCTTAAAGTCTGC
BamHI
ACACTATAGCCTCCCATATATACGCTGCTATCATGTGAAGCAACTACTATAATCATAATAGAAGAAACAAAGTCCTTCTT
AAAATTTGGGGAATACGACATTTCCGTCATATACTTTATGCTGTAATGGTTGAAGTAACTGTCATATCTATAATCACGAC
TAAGTGTATACCCATTCCAAGTACTCCTTACCGGTCCTACCCTCGACCCTTCCTGTAATACATGGAACACAGGCAAACCT
GTCTTTACATCCAGGGTTTTCAAAAACTTTGGAACAATCATTCGATGATAGCATCCACTTAAACTAAACGTATTACCCCA
GGAAAATTCCTCACATACTGTCGCTCCCCAAACATTTTCTCCGCATACTCTTCCGGACCATCCACCGTGTATACCACAGC
TTCTACCGCCCTTATCTTCCACCATTAAATCTTCCGAAGCCGTGTACCCACCAGTGATCCACGAATACTGAGTCTTTAGA
ACGACCACATAATCCGCATCCAACTTATCTAATCCACCGCTTACAAATGTCGGTTCTAGCCCGACTATTCTGATACACCG
ATGGCCCTTGCTCATTTGTGAATACTGTCTACATATCGTCGAGCAAGCATGAGCTCCTGCCGAGTGACCTATACAGTGCA
ATTTTTTAGCGTCGGGGATATCTACCAGAAACTTCCTAAAATCCGCATGTAAACCATCCGTATCATAGTACAACCGATAG
TCCACCAACACAACACCTACGGCGGGAGTCATCTTCTGATGAAATCGCAACACCTTCCTAAAATCGTCATATCCCAGATA
CCATCCTGGTATAAGCAGCACTATGTCTGATTTCCCGGCGAAGGCATTGTGCATTTTATGGTATACACCATACTCGTATC
TCGCATCGTGGAACTTCGGTACACCACCATGCGATCCATACCACGTGATTCTCGAAGGAAGTCTGTTCGGATTTCCGGCG
CTTTTCGGAGCTTCCAGTTTAGTAGCCGGAGGCATTGCCACACAGGACCGATTGACCAAATCATGGCAACCTTCTGATTT
CGTACCCGAAAATGCGGAGGCCCCGAGGAGCACCCCGAATAACTGAAACAGAACGCAAAATTTAGACCGGTACCCTCCCA
TACGATTATCACGTCCCAAAGCCAAATATCACGGTACTCACCAGCGCAAAAATCTTCATGAAGATCTGGGGCAAGAGCCG
CACAACAGTCCACCTGAATCTGAGACAGCTTACCGGCGACTGTACCAAACCGGTGTGCCACCGCCGAATTTATTCTCTCA
ATCTATTAATGTTTAACTAAACAAACTTGCTGACACTTGATAAATATTTACTGACCTAGACAATTCCGAGAACTTCCTTA
TTACCGTGACTATGCAGTATCAAGATAAACCCTTCCAAAGTTCGACTGAGTACACGGTGTACTTCCTGTCATAAAATATC
ACTTCTAAATATAGTCCTAGGTAGAAACTATAAATGGTAAGAGACAACACACTGATTCTTAGAAAAACCTCACAGAACAA
GATGAACCTCACATTATCCTGACTCTTCCTTACGAACTGAAATAACCGGTAAGTCATAAAAATGATTTTCCTTTTGACAT
TGCGTACGCGGAAGCAAACTAGAAAAATCGAACTTGGAATTTTCCAAGTCGAGTTAACTATTAACTTGATGACGTCAATT
GGATTAATCATTAACTCGAATTAGTTAATGATTAACTAGATCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAGTCTCAGTTAATGATTAACTA
ACCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAACCTGGTTAATGATTAACTAATAGTTAAACATTAACTAGTAGTTACTTATTAACTTATGA
CTCATGGATTAATTATTAACTAGTGACGTCACTAGTTAATCATTAAGCTTTCTATGCGTATGCATGAGAGATTCATGCGT
CAAATCAACAGCGTCAAATGACAAGCACAAGAACCGCCCGGCTGAAGCCCGACGCAGTAACCCATAGGATGTCCGACACC
GATGTTAGCTTCTTCGTGGTACGGATACCACAGCTCCTTGATGTCTTGAACTAGCTTCCAGAAGATGGCATCGTGCATAC
ACCACGGAGGTACGGCAACACCAAACACCACGTACAAAGGCATCTCCCGACACTCTGCAATTACAACTAGCATCAGAAAT
ACATCCAGCCGCTATTTGAAAAAAACAACAGGATCTCACCCAAAAAGAAAAAGTACTTACCCCGAAACCACCAGGAAATC
CCCCTTACGTGATAATCCGGATCTCGCTGACGCTCAAAGAAGCCGCCTTAAATACCGCTCCTTATCTCTCTTCGATTACC
TCAGTTACGCCCATTTCTTATCAGGTAAGATACGCAGGTAAGATACGCCCTTCCACATCAGCACGGAATGTGCTGACCAG
CTTACCGCGCCCGTTTTTAATATCCGTTAATTAGTAACTTAGGTGAATCACCAAACCACCTGCCGGCATATATCTACACC
CTTGATACGGCGGCATCCATTGAAGTCGAGCGCCACCATGGAGTCAACTACCGTATCCTCGATTCTGCTCCTATCCTTCT
TCGTATCTTCCATCGAATCCTATCCGCTCCTGCATAACTTCACGGCGCTCACG                                                                        GGATCC                                                                    GTGCTTACTCTTCCCTACAAA
BamHI
GGACATGACCGACCCTTTAAATTCGAATGGCGGCTGACAGATCAGACCAAAGTAGCAATCTC                                                                        GGATCC                                                                    TAGCACCGGCAT
BamHI
CAACTACCCGTCGGGTCCACTCAAAGGAAGAGTACATCTAAACGGCAGCGCCCTCATCGTTACATCCCTACGACTTAGTG
ACGCCGGTACCTATACAATCCTCTCAGAGGACAACACAGGAACTGAAATCGGATACTCCTATTACGTCGAAGTCAGAGGT
ATAGAACTTTCCCCTCCTTTTTCTACATGATATCCCGTTCCCTCTTTTTTCTTACCCCTAGCTTATTCTTCCTAGAACCG
ATGCAAGCTCCCACCCTCTATACGGATCGCTACAATGACTCATCTCCCATACGCCTCACATGCCAAGCTTCCAACAATCT
CCACCGTAATATCACATACCACTGGAAAACAGATTTAATACAGCCAACTAACTCGACTCGATCTATCACCTTAAACATCG
AAGACTATATATCCGTTACCTGCACAGTCACTGATGGAGTCAGCAAAAACAGCATCACGATTATGGTTCCGTTGAGAGGT
AGTATTCGGTTTCCCGTTATCTCCCTATACTACGTAATCATGCCCACCCTTTTAACCCGTATCTTTACAACAGATCCTTC
TCCACCTACGCCTTACGGTTTGCATCCCACTATCATTTTCCTGAGTGTCCTCTGCATGATCCTCATCACCGCAATTACCG
TCTACTTTGTGAAGAAGCATTGCTGCGATAAGCAATATAAAATAACTTGCATTAACCCTTACCGAGAATGCTTCGGTGGC
GCCGGTCTCGTTTAATCTCGTTTAAATAAAAACCACTATAATCCCCGCTTCCTATAATCTCTACTTCCTATGATTAAATG
GGTAATTAAATGATGGGTAATTAAGTGGTGTCAATGATCAAATAATGATTCGGAAACGATTTCGGGAAAAATGATTTTAG
GAATCAATGATCATTATCAAAAATAAATGATTTATTTATAAGACGTGTTTTTGATGATTGATACGATTAGTAAATCACAT
GATTAGAAACACATGATTAGAAACACAGTTTAATCATCAATCGAAATCACCGCGCAAGATATGGACAGTCACGTTCTCCT
CTGATGTCCTATCCATAGATTCGCTGTCCGTAGAATCAGAGGCGCAGAGCATCCGCCGAAACCAGAAAGTTATCGCTACC
ATCAGCAATAACAACATAATTAACGCGATCGGCAGCCACACTGGAAACTCGCCGGTCTGATTGGATACCAGTCCTCCGCC
GGTCTTATAAGTGGTCTCCTCGATCTTCTGATCCTCCTGAGTCAAACCAGGAATTACCACTACGTAAAATCCGGTCTTTG
AATCCTGTTGTAAGTCTAGCGTATTAGTATACAGTCCCGAATCGGCAGGTGTTACGTCTCTAATAGTAACGCAATTGGAT
GTGGCATTGTAATGCGTGCGGCTCTTATAGTTAGCATACACTATGGGGTTACCCAGAGCTTTATAAAGCTGTAATACGAA
CACGGTAGACGCGTGCTCGTTAGAGGACTGAAACTCCCACTCCGTTATAGAAGCGGAGCTAGCATCCTTCCCACACATGC
GTAACTCTCCACCTTCCAAAACTAATATACGGCTCATGTTATGCACCTCAACCGTCGCATTGCCCGTAATATCCTTCACG
GTATACTGTATGGCATACGGTTTCCCACCGACAAAGGAACCGTAAGTCAACCAGCACCCGTTATTAGCCTTCAGCTTACT
CAGGTAAATAGTATTGCAACCACTATCTACCCTCGTTCTACCCATGTACCCGCTTTCAAGTCCAGGTTCTTTAACCCTCG
GAATCACAAATGCCGCCCTCTCCATCTTATTGCAATTGGGGGACGGGGAATGATACCAGAGGATCATAGTATGGTCCCTG
CACTCTCCTGTCCGTAGAGCCAGCTCCGGGTCCCGGGGAGCGCCAAAGCAGAGTCCCAGGACAGCAGCCAGCAGCAGGGC
AACGGACTTCATGATGAATGCGGGAACCAGCCAGCAGCAGCAGGTAGAAGGTGCGAGTACTCGAGGCAGGCGGGAATAAC
ACCGCACGCTTTCCACCCCGCTTAAATACACAACCCACACCGGTCATGGTCAAACATTACCTAGCCTACTCAGCACGGAA
AAGTACTCACCCTTAACACAGTTCGACTTATCAGGTACACACCCGTAACCTTCGCACCCCAAAGCGCACAGTCAGCACCA
TAAGGAAGTCGTAAAGTTACCCTTTGATTGCATTGTCATCATAAAAAACGCTGAGCAAACGGAAACGCCCCAAGTACAAA
TCTCTCTTCCGCCACGCCCTCGTTAATCAATAACTAGTCGCCGATACATATATACCCCCTCCGTTCCATCACACCTACAC
TACCTTCTCTCCGCACAGGCAACATCTCAATCCTTACTCTTCCGAATCCACTTCGCCGCCTTCGACATGAATCCGGTAAG
TATCAACTTTTTTCTAAGCTTATGCTTCTGACACCTCTGATCTTAATACCGCACCCCTTTTTTCTCAAAAAAGGTTTCGT
GCTTAACGCTTCTTCTATGCGTCATCATCCCGAGAGCCGATCCGCTTCCAATCACCCCCGCCTCTAAACCCGCTACCGAC
TCCGCCCGGACCGGCGCCTCCGTCATCACGACCCACTTACCCGCATCTCCGAGCGCCACCCCGTGCGACGAAATCTTGAG
CGAGGACTGTTGGTTCGAAAATGCCAGCGGTGATTACCAACCCCTACCCTGGGAACCGAAAGAGGAAACGGTTTCAGATC
AAAACCCTCTCACCGCAACCGACCCCATCGGTGACCGAATCCCCGCTATCATCCAGTCCCAGTCCCGCGCTTCTAACCGT
CCGACCAGTAAGGAACACACTTCTACTATCGCATCCATCTCGACCGTAGTCGGCATCGCGGTCCTCGTCATCCTGACCCT
CGTAGCCTACTTTACCAAGTACCCCAAACCGAGACCGCCCAGATCCATCTACATAGGAGTAGCTCCACCCGATATGGAAC
TCAAGGAAATATAATTCCAGCCCCACCCTTAACCCTACCTTTCCATGAGTCAGTATTTTCAATAAAGTTATATTGCAGTA
TTAATTCCGTTGTTTCCGCGTTCTTTCTCTCGCGCGGACAAAGTCCCTTCGACCAGGAAGTCCGGTATACGTCATTCCGC
GGTGTCATGATGACGCGCATAACTCACGACTGCCATCTGCCGGACAAACGCGGTACTACACTTAACACATAAACACCCGC
CTTTTTTCGATTCCCACCATAATCAGGCTTTGGTAAAAATTCGCAGATTCTAAAATCCGTATTCCTGCGCCCGCGATAAT
AGATCACGCCCACGACACGCCCT                                                                        AGCGCT                                                                    CTTATCACACGCTCTCTGCTGCCATCTAGCGGGCGGGAGCGGTAGTGCGAG
Eco47III
GTGACAGCAGCGTCATTCATGTAGGTATATATAGATGATG-

Claims

1. A recombinant avian adenovirus vector expressing at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence wherein the at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is inserted into a non-essential region at the right hand end of the genome of the avian adenovirus between map units 60 and 100 and wherein the avian adenovirus excludes chicken embryo lethal orphan virus.

2. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein said recombinant avian adenovirus is selected from the group consisting of serotypes 4, 8, 9 and 10.

3. The recombinant vector of claim 1, wherein at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is expressed as an antigenic polypeptide.

4. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is expressed as an immunopotentiating molecule.

5. The recombinant vector of claim 3 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of infectious bursal disease virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

6. The recombinant vector of claim 5 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of VP2 of infectious bursal disease virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

7. The recombinant vector of claim 3 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of S1 of infectious bronchitis virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

8. The recombinant vector of claim 3 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase of Newcastles Disease Virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

9. The recombinant vector of claim 3 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of glycoprotein B of Marek's disease virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

10. The recombinant vector of claim 4 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of chicken gamma interferon.

11. The recombinant vector of claim 4 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of chicken myelomonocytic growth factor.

12. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein said recombinant avian adenovirus comprises a live avian adenovirus having virion structural proteins unchanged from those in a native avian adenovirus from which said recombinant avian adenovirus is derived.

13. The recombinant vector of claim 12 wherein said recombinant avian adenovirus is selected from the group consisting of serotypes 4, 8, 9 and 10.

14. The recombinant vector of claims 12 wherein at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is expressed as an antigenic polypeptide.

15. The recombinant vector of claims 12 wherein at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is expressed as an immunopotentiating molecule.

16. The recombinant vector of claim 14 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of infectious bursal disease virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

17. The recombinant vector of claim 14 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of VP2 of infectious bursal disease virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

18. The recombinant vector of claim 14 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of S1 of infectious bronchitis virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

19. The recombinant vector of claim 14 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase of Newcastles Disease Virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

20. The recombinant vector of claim 14 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of glycoprotein B of Marek's disease virus which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

21. The recombinant vector of claim 15 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of chicken gamma interferon which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

22. The recombinant vector of claim 15 wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant of chicken myelomonocytic growth factor which elicits an immune response to said virus when introduced in vivo.

23. A method for producing a recombinant avian adenovirus vector for use in an immunogenic composition comprising the step of:inserting into a non-essential region of an avian adenovirus genome at the right hand end of the genome of the avian adenovirus between map units 60 and 100, at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11 which is suitable for eliciting an immune response, the heterologous sequence in association with an effective promoter sequence with the exception that the avian adenovirus is not chicken embryo lethal orphan virus.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein prior to insertion of said heterologous nucleotide sequence, a restriction enzyme site is insert ed into said nonessential region of the genome.

25. A method of protecting birds against disease comprising the step of:administering to said birds a first recombinant avian adenovirus vector of claim 1 incorporating and expressing at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an antigenic determinant of said disease against which protection is desired.

26. A method of claim 25 further comprising a step of:administering a second recombinant avian adenovirus vector to said birds, wherein the second recombinant avian adenovirus vector incorporates and expresses at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence inserted into a non-essential region at the right hand end of the genome of an avian adenovirus between map units 60 and 100 and wherein the at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence incorporated into the second recombinant avian adenovirus vector is different from the at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence incorporated into the first recombinant avian adenovirus vector.

27. An immunogenic composition comprising at least one recombinant avian adenovirus vector of claim 1 and suitable carriers, excipients or both.

28. An immunogenic composition of claim 27 wherein said carriers and/or excipients are selected such that said immunogenic composition is deliverable in the form of an aerosol spray.

29. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein the avian adenovirus is non-pathogenic.

30. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein the heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes an antigenic determinant which elicits an immune response in a bird when introduced in vivo.

31. The recombinant vector of claim 30 wherein antigenic determinant is a polypeptide.

32. The recombinant vector of claim 30 wherein antigenic determinant is an antigenic determinant of infectious bursal disease virus.

33. The recombinant vector of claim 30 wherein the antigenic determinant is an antigenic determinant of infectious bronchitis virus.

34. The recombinant vector of claim 30 wherein antigenic determinant is an antigenic determinant of Newcastle's disease virus.

35. The recombinant vector of claim 30 wherein antigenic determinant is an antigenic determinant of Marek's disease virus.

36. The recombinant vector of claim 30 wherein the avian adenovirus is a recombinant fowl adenovirus.

37. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is expressed as a cytokine.

38. The method of claim 26 wherein said second avian adenovirus vector comprises a serotype different from that of said first avian adenovirus vector.

39. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein the at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is inserted into a non-essential region at the right hand end of the genome of the avian adenovirus between map units 70 and 100.

40. The recombinant vector of claim 1 wherein the at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is inserted into a non-essential region at the right hand end of the genome of the avian adenovirus between map units 92 and 100.

41. The method of claim 23 wherein the at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence is inserted at the right hand end of the genome of the avian adenovirus between map units 70 and 100.