Polyvalent Chimeric OspC Vaccinogen and Diagnostic Antigen
AssigneeVirginia Commonwealth University
InventorsRichard Marconi, Christopher Earnhart
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Abstract
A chimeric polyvalent recombinant protein for use as a vaccine and diagnostic for Lyme disease is provided. The chimeric protein comprises epitopes of the loop 5 region and/or the alpha helix 5 region of outer surface protein C (OspC) types. The OspC types may be associated with mammalian Borrelia infections.
Claims28
A chimeric recombinant protein comprising epitopes from loop 5 region or alpha helix 5 region, or both, of two or more outer surface protein C (OspC) types.
A method for eliciting an immune response against Borrelia in an individual in need thereof, comprising the step of
- administering to said individual a chimeric recombinant protein comprising epitopes from loop 5 region or alpha helix 5 region, or both, of two or more outer surface protein C (OspC) types.
A method for ascertaining whether an individual has been exposed to or infected with Borrelia, or both, comprising the steps of
- obtaining a biological sample from said individual,
- exposing said biological sample to at least one recombinant chimeric protein, wherein said at least one chimeric protein comprises epitopes from loop 5 region or alpha helix 5 region, or both, of two or more outer surface protein C (OspC) types;
- and
- determining whether antibodies in said biological sample bind to said at least one chimeric protein, wherein detection of antibody binding is indicative of prior exposure to or infection with Borrelia.
An antibody to a chimeric recombinant protein comprising epitopes from loop 5 region or alpha helix 5 region, or both, of two or more outer surface protein C (OspC) types.
A immunogenic cocktail of chimeric recombinant proteins, wherein each chimeric recombinant protein in said cocktail comprises epitopes from loop 5 region or alpha helix 5 region, or both, of two or more outer surface protein C (OspC) types.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.