FIELD: biotechnology.
SUBSTANCE: described is a virus of duck enteritis (DEV) for expression of foreign genes, which contains an inactive UL4 gene in its genome. Also described is a host cell for producing said DEV and a method for production thereof. What is described is the use of said DEV in vaccinating or immunising poultry, preferably chicken, and for producing protective immunity in poultry, preferably in chickens. Disclosed is a composition for vaccinating or immunising birds, comprising an effective amount of said DEV, nucleic acid, a genome or a host cell thereof, and a pharmaceutically or veterinary acceptable excipient or carrier. What is presented is a vaccine kit for immunising birds, which comprises the following components: a) an effective amount of said composition and b) an agent for administering said composition to said birds.
EFFECT: invention is especially suitable for vaccination of poultry against avian pathogens.
21 cl, 8 dwg, 8 tbl, 8 ex
