University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc

Rick L Tarleton

Nisha Jain Garg

Ronald D Etheridge, Jr

Samarchith Kurup

This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a composition that includes a transgenic pathogen that expresses a heterologous pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP). In some embodiments, the pathogen may be attenuated. In some embodiments, the pathogen can include. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method of treating an infection in a subject. Generally, the method includes administering to the subject, in an amount effective to treat the infection, a pathogen genetically modified to express a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) not natively expressed by the pathogen.

Therapeutic compositions and methods for treating infections

A sensitive, multicomponent diagnostic test for infection with, the causative agent of Chagas disease, including methods of making and methods of use. Also provided is a method for screeningpolypeptides to identify antigenic polypeptides for inclusion as components of the diagnostic test, as well as compositions containing antigenicpolypeptides.

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Polypeptide and polynucleotide vaccines effective to treat or prevent infection of a mammal, such as a dog, a cat, or a human, by a protozoan. Methods of treatment and prevention are also provided, including therapeutic administration of the vaccine to an infected mammal to prevent progression of infection to a chronic debilitating disease state. Preferred embodiments of the polynucleotide vaccine contain nucleotide coding regions that encode polypeptides that are surface-associated or secreted by. Optionally the efficacy of the polynucleotide vaccine is increased by inclusion of a nucleotide coding region encoding a cytokine. Preferred embodiments of the polypeptide vaccine include immunogenic peptides that contain membrane transducing sequences that allow the polypeptides to translocate across a mammalian cell membrane.

Prophylactic and therapeutic immunization against protozoan infection and disease

Molecular targets are identified insuitable for use in diagnosis of Chagas disease, drug development, and vaccines, including live vaccines.

The invention relates to the expression of proteins in nonpathogenic protozoans. In particular, the invention relates to the expression and subsequent isolation of proteins from the nonpathogenic protozoan Crithidia.

Growing community of inventors

Watkinsville, GA, United States of America

Rick L Tarleton