Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

The present disclosure provides genetically altered protozoan parasites comprising a mutation in a bradyzoite formation deficient 1 (BFD1) gene, wherein the mutation inhibits differentiation of the parasite into a bradyzoite. The genetically altered protozoan parasites can be utilized in vaccine compositions and in methods of treating apicomplexan parasite infection.

The present disclosure provides genetically altered protozoan parasites comprising a mutation in a bradyzoite formation deficient 1 (BFD1) gene, wherein the mutation inhibits differentiation of the parasite into a bradyzoite. The genetically altered protozoan parasites can be utilized in vaccine compositions and in methods of treating apicomplexan parasite infection.

The present invention relates to particles, particularly virus-like particles (VLPs), comprising fusion polypeptides comprising selected repeat units derived from the repeating regions of Type I and Type II circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) of Plasmodium vivax (Pv), together with an amino acid sequence derived from the C-terminal PvCSP sequence. In some embodiments, the fusion polypeptide additionally comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the N-terminal PvCSP sequence and/or a surface antigen polypeptide derived from Hepatitis B virus (HBV-S). The invention also relates to nucleotide sequences coding for such fusion polypeptides, vectors and plasmids comprising such nucleotide sequences, and host cells comprising such vectors and plasmids. The invention additionally relates to compositions, particularly vaccine compositions, comprising the fusion polypeptides or VLPs for use as vaccines for the prevention of malaria.

This invention relates to adjuvant formulations comprising various combinations of triterpenoids, sterols, immunomodulators, polymers, and Th2 stimulators; methods for making the adjuvant compositions; and the use of the adjuvant formulations in immunogenic and vaccine compositions with different antigens. This invention further relates to the use of the formulations in the treatment of animals.

This invention relates to adjuvant formulations comprising various combinations of triterpenoids, sterols, immunomodulators, polymers, and Th2 stimulators; methods for making the adjuvant compositions; and the use of the adjuvant formulations in immunogenic and vaccine compositions with different antigens. This invention further relates to the use of the formulations in the treatment of animals.

Mutated and/or truncated malarial circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) and associated nucleic acids that are more stable and highly expressed in mammalian cells are described. The mutated and/or truncated CSP and associated nucleic acids can be expressed to produce malaria vaccine antigens.

The present invention encompasses a vaccine composition and method of use for treating heartworm infestation in mammals. The vaccine composition includes chimeric antigens engineered and manufactured using the genetic code (i.e., the amino acid or protein sequence) of the target sequence. After introduction of the vaccine composition containing the target antigen into the host (e.g., a canine), the host will generate antibodies as part of its robust immune response to the antigen. As the antibodies circulate through the host's plasma, heartworm larvae will consume the antibodies as they feed on the plasma. The antibodies will then act on internal targets of the worm recognized as antigens.

Disclosed herein are polynucleotides encoding multi-epitope polypeptides and assemblies thereof, and their use for treating or limiting Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Disclosed herein are polynucleotides encoding multi-epitope polypeptides and assemblies thereof, and their use for treating or limiting Toxoplasma gondii infection.