UniversitÈ Laval

Aventis Pasteur Limited

Martin Olivier

Marc Ouellette

Barbara Papadopoulou

Barbara Papadopoulu

Strains of Leishmania and other macrophage-infecting parasites are provided which express the GM-CSF gene which are useful in treating hosts infected by the parasite and in protecting hosts against disease caused by infection of hosts by parasites. The parasites are reduced in their ability to infect or survive in macrophages and hence are attenuated. At least one gene of the parasite contributing to the virulence thereto may be functionally disabled. The attenuated strains may be used for administration to a host (a) to treat a host infected by Leishmania or (b) to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain, or as a diagnostic reagent.

Macrophage-infecting parasites expressing a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulated factor

Attenuated strains of Leishmania are provided in which at least one gene contributing to virulence of the strain and expressed in both the promastigote and amastigote forms of the strain is functionally disabled, such as, by deleting at least a portion of the gene or by mutagenesis of the gene. The attenuated strain may be used for administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain or as a diagnostic reagent.

Attenuated strains of leishmania and uses thereof

Attenuated strains of Leishmania and uses thereof

Strains of Leishmanda and other macrophage-infecting parasites are provided which express the GM-CSF gene which are useful in treating hosts infected by the parasite and in protecting hosts against disease caused by infection of hosts by parasites. The parasites are reduced in their ability to infect or survive in macrophages and hence are attenuated. At least one gene of the parasite contributing to the virulence thereto may be functionally disabled. The attenuated strains may be used for administration to a host (a) to treat a host infected by Leishmania or (b) to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain, or as a diagnostic reagent.

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Martin Olivier