University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated

Other

Anthony F Barbet

Michael John Burridge

Suman M Mahan

Travis C McGuire

Roman Reddy Ganta

Arthur Rick Alleman

Fred R Rurangirwa

Michael V Bowie

William M Whitmire

Bigboy H Simbi

Annie L Moreland

William C Davis

Guy H Palmer

Francy L Crosby

Gillian E Smith

Aceme Nyika

Travis C Mcguire

The invention pertains to the use of VirB10 to immunize a host against an infection by a bacterium having T4SS. The invention provides a vaccine comprising VirB10, a fragment of VirB10, a polynucleotide encoding VirB10 or a polynucleotide encoding a fragment of VirB10 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant. The invention also provides a method of immunizing a host against an infection caused by a bacterium having T4SS, the method comprising administering to the host a vaccine of the invention. The vaccines and the methods of the invention can be used to immunize against infections caused by bacteria having T4SS in dogs, rabbits, cats, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, horses, rodents and humans.

VirB10 for vaccination against gram negative bacteria

We have successfully sequenced and cloned the gene expressing the Major Surface Protein 5 (MSP5) of. The recombinant MSP5 (rMSP5) protein has been tested using sera from humans and dogs infected with. The polypeptide has been found to be immunogenic and useful as a diagnostic test antigen. The polypeptide antigen of the subject invention can provide the basis of a diagnostic assay that would allow the rapid, in-house, laboratory diagnosis of infection withusing a sample (e.g., serum, plasma, or whole blood) from an infected human or animal. Additionally, the subject invention provides methods of detecting the presence ofin biological or environmental samples utilizing antibodies provided by the subject invention. Furthermore, the use of the single antigen in the diagnosis of this important disease offers many advantages including enhanced test specificity, ease of testing and consistency of results using synthetically produced test antigens instead of cultured, whole organisms.

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Described are nucleic acid vaccines containing genes to protect animals or humans against rickettsial diseases. Also described are polypeptides and methods of using these polypeptides to detect antibodies to pathogens.

Nucleic acid vaccines against rickettsial diseases and methods of use

The present invention pertains to materials and methods for preventing, or reducing the severity of, heartwater disease in animals. One aspect of the invention is a vaccine against heartwater comprising cultured inactivated rickettsiae mixed with a suitable adjuvant. The vaccine of the subject invention can be injected into an animal and, once injected, induces immune responses which protect the animal from severe heartwater when exposed to infection with rickettsiae. The invention further concerns methods of producing a vaccine for use against heartwater. The invention also concerns methods for inducing an immune response in animals, such as mammals, against heartwater by inoculating an animal with a vaccine composition of the present invention.

Materials and methods for prevention or reduction of the severity of heartwater

Described are nucleric acid vaccines containing genes to protect animals or humans against,. Also described are polypeptides and methods of using these polypeptides to detect antibodies to pathogens.

Nucleic acid vaccines for ehrlichia chaffeensis and methods of use

Described are nucleic acid vaccines containing MAP1-related genes to protect animals or humans against rickettsial diseases.

A purified antigenic surface protein of Anaplasma marginale has been identified, and is capable of inducing immune responses in ruminants which neutralizes virulent Anaplasma marginale. The antigenic surface protein has a molecular weight of about 105,000 daltons, and can be purified by an immunoaffinity chromatography process. The antigen has further utility in diagnostic tests for anaplasmosis. It can be synthesized by polypeptide procedures or by genetic engineering. DNA and amino acid sequences have been developed for the antigen according to this invention. The antigen is useful as a vaccine component for protecting mammals against infection by Anaplasma marginale and may be useful for rickettsial organisms other than Anaplasma marginale.

Growing community of inventors

Archer, FL, United States of America

Anthony F Barbet