BAC-based recovery of recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped, nonsegmented negative-strand RNA virus, which causes lower respiratory tract infections and is a leading cause of mortality in young infants. There is no available RSV vaccine and currently administered prophylactic antibodies are limited to high-risk populations. Current efforts to develop vaccines include development of live-attenuated RSV candidates. We describe here methods for preparation and recovery of recombinant RSV using an efficient bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based system, expansion and plaque purification of recovered virus, and generation of master and working stocks.