Vaccine and methods for detecting and preventing filariasis
The present invention is a multivalent vaccine for immunizing an animal against filariasis. In some embodiments, the antigens of the multivalent vaccine are protein-based, DNA-based, or a combination thereof. This invention also provides a method and kit for detecting a filarial nematode and determining vaccine efficacy.
1. A method for immunizing an animal against filariasis administering to an animal in need thereof a vaccine comprising
(a) Brugia malayi Abundant Larval Transcript protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 78; and
(b) a Brugia malayi Small heat shock protein 12.6 comprising SEQ ID NO: 81; a Brugia malayi Tetraspanin protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 82; a Brugia malayi Thioredoxin Peroxidase 2 protein comprising SEQ ID NO:83, or a combination thereof,
wherein each of the proteins of (a) and (b) elicits an immune response in an animal thereby immunizing the animal against filariasis.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering an adjuvant.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the filariasis is caused by a Brugia filarial nematode.