Eimeria merozoite surface antigen (23 kD) and DNA encoding if; potential recombinant vaccine against fowl coccidiosis; Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina or Eimeria maxima gene cloning and expression in Escherichia coli; DNA sequence

Patent Report by expression of the DNA of (a) in the host-vector system of (c); (e) preparation of an AcNPV vector; and (f) polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies (Abs) capable of binding to the TRAP proteins. The proteins may be used to prepare a malaria vaccine, and as antagonists for inhibition of sequestration or of invasion of cells by P. falciparum. The Abs may be used for protein purification, malaria therapy and diagnosis. 013-92

Eimeria merozoite surface antigen (23 kD) and D N A encoding if; potential recombinant vaccine against fowl coccidiosis; Eimeria tenella, Eimeria aeervulina or Eimeria maxima gene cloning and expression in Escherichia coli; DNA sequence Roche Eur 439 056; 31 July 1991 The following are new : a pure protein (with a defined protein sequence) with at least one immunoreactive and/or antigenic determinant of an Eimeria sp. (e.g. Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina or Eimeria maxima) merozoite surface antigen (mol.wt 23000 on SDS-PAGE) derived from a precursor (mol.wt 30000); a DNA sequence encoding the protein; a recombinant vector or virus capable of directing expression of the DNA; and a transformed host organism containing the vector. The protein may be used as a recombinant vaccine to immunize poultry against coccidiosis. The protein may be obtained by culturing a recombinant microorganism (preferably Escherichia coli) containing the vector or recombinant virus, and isolating the protein or a subfragment from the culture. The dosage is 5 50 #g kg- ~, preferably 25-50 #g kg- ~, followed by booster vaccinations. In an example, double-stranded cDNA was produced from E. tenella merozoite poly-A RNA, and was cloned in E. coli Y1088 using phage lambda-gtl 1 as vector. A clone (phage lambda-5-7 ) was isolated, and contained a 1.2 kb insert. The insert was subcloned to form plasmid pDS56/RBSII. 014-92

DNA encoding HypA and HypB Chlamydia proteins; Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein DNA sequence; application in recombinant vaccine, diagnosis of chlamydial infection Nat. Inst. Health Bethesda USA 7531 317; 9 July 1991 The following are disclosed: (a) DNA encoding all or a unique part of a Chlamydia sp. HypB protein; (b) DNA encoding all

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or a unique part ofa Chlamydia sp. HypA protein; (c) a pure form of HypB protein which elicits a delayed ocular and dermal inflammatory response in mammals ; (d) a recombinant protein comprising all or a unique part of a specified amino acid sequence; (e) antibodies specific for the HypB protein; (f) recombinant DNA comprising the DNA of (a) and a vector; and (g) a host cell stably transformed with the DNA molecule of (f) in a manner allowing recombinant protein expression. DNA encoding HypB and HypA was isolated from Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis and may be used as a probe. The HypB protein is a member of highly conserved family of stress response proteins referred to as heat shock protein HSP60. Peptide analogs of HypB and/or HypA can be used to produce polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for detection of chlamydia in clinical specimens, and in assays for diagnosis of chlamydial infection. The HypB protein can be used as a skin test antigen and in a vaccine against chlamydial infection. 015-92

Transformation method for Shigella strain; Shigella flexneri, ShigeUa dysenteriae strain improvement; potential application as vaccine against dysentery Inst. Pasteur Eur 441 071 ; 14 August 1991 A method for modifying the genome of an entero-invasive Shigella, such as Shiyella flexneri, to produce a mutant strain for use in a vaccine against the wild-type strain, comprises mutagenesis for the deletion or inactivation of (a) the ompR gene and envZ gene (ompB locus), or (b) the ompF gene. A Shigella modified by this method, and a vaccine against Shigella containing the modified Shigella, are also claimed. A preferred method comprises mutagenizing an additional gene, preferably an icsA gene, encoding a protein necessary for invasion and multiplication within infected cells, spread from infected to uninfected cells, and production of toxins which will kill infected and uninfected cells. A gene encoding a protein necessary for chelation and/or iron transport may also be mutagenized, especially in Shigella dysenteriae, the genomone of which is further modified by mutagenizing a gene coding for Shiga toxin production. The genes may be mutagenized by allelic exchange with an in vitro mutagenized gene, especially mutagenized genes from which significant portions have been deleted and genes into which selectable marker genes have been inserted. 016 92