Vaccine and methods for detecting and preventing filariasis
The present invention is a multivalent immunogenic composition for immunizing an animal against filariasis. In some embodiments, the antigens of the multivalent immunogenic composition 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 recombinant multivalent immunogenic composition comprising the Abundant Larval Transcript antigen of SEQ ID NO:37, the Tetraspanin antigen of SEQ ID NO:63, the Small heat shock protein (HSP) 12.6 antigen of SEQ ID NO:49, and the Thioredoxin Peroxidase 2 of SEQ ID NO:71, in combination with two or more adjuvants selected from the group of an aluminum salt, a calcium-based salt, silica, a saponin, a bacterial endotoxin, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, a synthetic lipid A analog, an oligonucleotide containing a CpG motif, a cytokine, a chemokine, a toll-like receptor agonist, a serum protein, a viral coat protein, a block copolymer adjuvant, and a muramyl peptide.
2. The recombinant multivalent immunogenic composition of claim 1 , wherein the antigens are covalently attached.