Recombinant mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis proteins induce immunity and protect against infection

An immunogenic composition comprising fusion protein MAP1087/MBP and at least two of the fusion proteins MAP1204/MBP, MAP1272c/MBP, and MAP2077c/MBP wherein said MAP1087/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:

• 5, said MAP1204/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 6, said MAP1272c/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 7 and said MAP2077c/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 8.

A method for reducing Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis colonization in an animal comprising administering to said animal an immunologically effective dose of a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, isolated and purified MAP1087 and at least two of isolated and purified MAP1204, isolated and purified MAP1272c, and isolated and purified MAP2077c;

• wherein said MAP1087 comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 1, MAP1204 comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 2, MAP1272c comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 3, and MAP2077c comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 4, wherein said immunologically effective dose causes said animal to generate an immune response sufficient to protect said animal from infection with said Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis;
• and wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of physiological saline, phosphate buffered saline, mineral oil, vegetable oil, aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

A method for reducing Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis colonization in an animal comprising administering to said animal an immunologically effective dose of a immunogenic composition comprising fusion protein MAP1087/MBP and at least two of the fusion proteins MAP1204/MBP, MAP1272c/MBP, and MAP2077c/MBP, wherein said MAP1087/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:

• 5, said MAP1204/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 6, said MAP1272c/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 7 and said MAP2077c/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 8, wherein said immunologically effective dose causes said animal to generate an immune response sufficient to protect said animal from infection with said Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis.

A method of generating a Th1 immune response against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in an animal comprising administering to said animal a composition in an amount sufficient to generate a Th1 immune response in said animal, said composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, isolated and purified MAP1087 and at least two of isolated and purified MAP1204, isolated and purified MAP1272c, and isolated and purified MAP2077c;

• wherein said MAP1087 comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 1, MAP1204 comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 2, MAP1272c comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 3, and MAP2077c comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 4;
• and wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of physiological saline, phosphate buffered saline, mineral oil, vegetable oil, aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

A method of generating a Th1 immune response against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in an animal comprising administering to said animal an composition in an amount sufficient to generate a Th1 immune response in said animal, said composition comprising fusion protein MAP1087/MBP and at least two of the fusion proteins MAP1204/MBP, MAP1272c/MBP, and MAP2077c/MBP, wherein said MAP1087/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:

• 5, said MAP1204/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 6, said MAP1272c/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 7 and said MAP2077c/MBP comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 8.