Myxoma virus as a vaccine vector for rabbits: antibody levels to influenza virus haemagglutinin presented by a recombinant myxoma virus.

To determine whether myxoma virus (MV) could be used as a vector for antigen presentation to European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), despite its immunosuppressive properties, a recombinant MV expressing the influenza virus haemagglutinin (HA) was constructed. Domestic rabbits, inoculated with the recombinant virus, developed high plasma antibody titres to the HA and IgG to HA was also detected in vaginal secretions. Antibody titres to HA obtained with recombinant MV were similar to titres obtained in rabbits inoculated with vaccinia virus expressing the HA. These results indicate that MV is an efficient vector for antigen presentation in rabbits.