Vaccine for immunization against Q-fever
A vaccine includes at least one bacterial antigen capable of producing an immune response in a host when the vaccine is administered at a dose that is sufficient for preventing or treating Q fever in the host. The vaccine composition confers immunity against Q fever without the reactogenic side effects observed in prior art vaccines.
1. A vaccine composition comprising a bacterial extract purified from Coxiella burnetti cells, wherein the bacterial extract comprises a protein antigen that is capable of producing an immune response in a host, when said vaccine composition is administered at a dose that is sufficient for preventing onset of Q fever in said host, and wherein the protein antigen is SolWCVII.
2. The vaccine composition of claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the protein antigen is at least 27 kDa.
3. The vaccine composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more agents that enhance an immunogenic response.
4. The vaccine composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition prevents splenomegaly when the host is exposed to Coxiella burnetii.
5. The vaccine composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition prevents reactogenicity at an injection site even when the host possesses immunity to infection by Coxiella burnetii.
6. The vaccine composition of claim 1 , wherein the Coxiella burnetii is a virulent strain.
7. The vaccine composition of claim 1 , wherein the Coxiella burnetii is an avirulent strain.