Ex vivo animal or challenge model as method to measure protective immunity directed against parasites and vaccines shown to be protective in the method
Described are antibodies specifically directed against a cathepsin-like protease that are specific for newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica . Diagnostic tests wherein such antibodies are detected or used are also provided.
1. An isolated or synthetic antibody specifically directed against a proregion of a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica , wherein the proregion consists of a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1, an amino acid sequence consisting of at least 85% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 24, or an amino acid sequence consisting of at least 85% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 26.
2. The antibody of claim 1 , wherein the Fasciola hepatica is of the type that infects a host through a mucosal or skin surface.
3. A composition comprising the antibody of claim 1 .
4. A method for performing a diagnostic test for detecting a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica , the method comprising contacting a serum sample from a subject with the antibody of claim 1 .
5. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising:
contacting the serum sample with at least one Fasciola hepatica protein or antigenic fragment thereof; and
detecting an antibody directed against Fasciola hepatica , excluding the antibody of claim 1 ,
wherein the diagnostic test is specifically designed to be utilized as an accompanying test to the utilization of a vaccine directed against Fasciola hepatica that specifically includes a peptide from a proregion of a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica.
6. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising:
contacting the serum sample with at least one antibody directed against Fasciola hepatica , excluding the antibody of claim 1 ; and
detecting a Fasciola hepatica protein or antigenic fragment thereof, excluding a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica,
wherein the diagnostic test is specifically designed to be utilized as an accompanying test to the utilization of a vaccine directed against Fasciola hepatica that specifically includes a peptide from a proregion of a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica.
7. A method for performing a diagnostic test for detecting an antibody according to claim 1 comprising contacting a serum sample with a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica.
8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:
contacting the serum sample with at least one Fasciola hepatica protein or antigenic fragment thereof; and
detecting an antibody directed against Fasciola hepatica , excluding the antibody of claim 1 ,
wherein the diagnostic test is specifically designed to be utilized as an accompanying test to the utilization of a vaccine directed against Fasciola hepatica that specifically includes a peptide from a proregion of a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica.
9. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:
contacting the serum sample with at least one antibody directed against Fasciola hepatica , excluding the antibody of claim 1 ; and
detecting a Fasciolas hepatica protein or antigenic fragment thereof, excluding a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica,
wherein the diagnostic test is specifically designed to be utilized as an accompanying test to the utilization of a vaccine directed against Fasciola hepatica that specifically includes a peptide from a proregion of a cathepsin-like protease obtained from excretory/secretory products of newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stages of Fasciola hepatica.
10. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one Fasciola hepatica protein or antigenic fragment thereof is a recombinant protein.
11. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the Fasciola hepatica is of the type that infects a host through a mucosal or skin surface.
12. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one Fasciola hepatica protein or antigenic fragment thereof is a recombinant protein.
13. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the Fasciola hepatica is of the type that infects a host through a mucosal or skin surface.