The present invention relates to the use of a peptide composition as an immunogen, with each peptide contained therein comprising a target antigenic site derived from the VP1 capsid protein of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV). The antigenic site is covalently linked to a helper T cell epitope and, preferably, to other immunostimulatory sequences, preferably by conventional peptide bond(s) through direct synthesis, for the prevention of FMDV infection and eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of such peptide composition as an immunogen to elicit the production in animals including swine, cattle, sheep, goats and susceptible wild species, of high titer polyclonal antibodies that can effectively neutralize, in vitro, multiple strains or serotypes of FMDV, and to the use of such composition as a vaccine to prevent, and/or reduce the incidence of, FMDV infection regardless of serotype, and thus affect the eradication of FMD. The present invention also relates to the peptides used in the compositions, and to immunoassays and/or diagnostic kits containing one or more of these peptides, and methods of diagnosing FMDV in mammals using such materials.
