Use of synthetic peptides derived from Trypanosoma cruzi antigens and their use in vaccination against trypomastigote infection and Chagas disease. T. cruzi uses several surface proteins to invade the host. In their role of protection, the surface protients ensure the targeting and invasion of specific cells or tissues. A conserved region in the family of mucin-associated surface proteins (MASP) was used to analyze the expression of MASP at different points of invasion and proved to be important for host cell invasion, thus suggesting MASP as a candidate for vaccine development. A synthetic peptide, MASPsyn, was studied and showed efficacy in stimulating antibody and cytokine production necessary for resistance against the parasite.

The present invention pertains to a novel rotavirus, especially an isolated virus, which is a member of the sub-species of porcine group B rotavirus (porcine RVB), causing diarrheal disease in pigs, to DNA fragments and corresponding proteins of the said virus, to vaccines on the basis of said virus, DNA and/or protein and to antibodies reactive with said virus and/or protein and diagnostic test kits for the detection of said virus.