The present invention relates to an immunoassay for the detection of Borrelia specific IgG, IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies in biological samples suspected of Lyme infection. The immunoassay can be performed via a standard immunoassay format or on an automated platform. In various embodiments, the immunoassay uses one or more Borrelia specific chimeric peptides VlsE-FlaB (designated pFlaB-mV), VlsE-ErpP (designated pErp59-mV), VlsE-P35 (designated pP35-mV) alone or in combination with one or more outer surface protein C (Osp C) types B or I, p58 and DbpA. Other aspects of the invention provide antigen/substrate combinations and compositions comprising combinations of the disclosed peptides and/or proteins for use in the immunoassays described herein.

The invention relates to the development of chimeric OspA molecules for use in a new Lyme vaccine. More specifically, the chimeric OspA molecules comprise the proximal portion from one OspA serotype, together with the distal portion from another OspA serotype, while retaining antigenic properties of both of the parent polypeptides. The chimeric OspA molecules are delivered alone or in combination to provide protection against a variety of Borrelia genospecies. The invention also provides methods for administering the chimeric OspA molecules to a subject in the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease or borreliosis.

The invention relates to the development of chimeric OspA molecules for use in a new Lyme vaccine. More specifically, the chimeric OspA molecules comprise the proximal portion from one OspA serotype, together with the distal portion from another OspA serotype, while retaining antigenic properties of both of the parent polypeptides. The chimeric OspA molecules are delivered alone or in combination to provide protection against a variety of Borrelia genospecies. The invention also provides methods for administering the chimeric OspA molecules to a subject in the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease or borreliosis.

A method of immunizing a susceptible host against a pathogen comprising administering to the host a vaccine that comprises an attenuated recombinant live vaccine strain lacking a polynucleotide encoding CapB (LVS ΔcapB), wherein the LVS ΔcapB expresses an antigen of at least one pathogen from Table 1; or administering to the host a vaccine that comprises an attenuated Listeria monocytogenes expressing the antigen of the pathogen from Table 1; or administering to the host a prime vaccine and a heterologous booster vaccine where the prime vaccine comprises an attenuated recombinant live vaccine strain lacking a polynucleotide encoding CapB (LVS ΔcapB), wherein the LVS ΔcapB expresses an antigen of at least one pathogen from Table 1 and the heterologous booster vaccine comprises an attenuated Listeria monocytogenes expressing the antigen of the pathogen from Table 1.

A method of immunizing a susceptible host against a pathogen comprising administering to the host a vaccine that comprises an attenuated recombinant live vaccine strain lacking a polynucleotide encoding CapB (LVS ΔcapB), wherein the LVS ΔcapB expresses an antigen of at least one pathogen from Table 1; or administering to the host a vaccine that comprises an attenuated Listeria monocytogenes expressing the antigen of the pathogen from Table 1; or administering to the host a prime vaccine and a heterologous booster vaccine where the prime vaccine comprises an attenuated recombinant live vaccine strain lacking a polynucleotide encoding CapB (LVS ΔcapB), wherein the LVS ΔcapB expresses an antigen of at least one pathogen from Table 1 and the heterologous booster vaccine comprises an attenuated Listeria monocytogenes expressing the antigen of the pathogen from Table 1.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of Borrelia infection. Particularly, the present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a hybrid C-terminal fragment of an outer surface protein A (OspA), a nucleic acid coding the same, an antibody specifically binding the same, a pharmaceutical composition (particularly for use as a medicament or in a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection) comprising the polypeptide and/or the nucleic acid and/or the antibody, a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection and a method of immunizing a subject.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of Borrelia infection. Particularly, the present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a hybrid C-terminal fragment of an outer surface protein A (OspA), a nucleic acid coding the same, an antibody specifically binding the same, a pharmaceutical composition (particularly for use as a medicament or in a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection) comprising the polypeptide and/or the nucleic acid and/or the antibody, a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection and a method of immunizing a subject.

The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a mutant fragment of an outer surface protein A (OspA), a nucleic acid coding the same, a pharmaceutical composition (particularly for use as a medicament of in a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection) comprising the polypeptide and/or the nucleic acid, a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection and a method of immunizing a subject.

The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a mutant fragment of an outer surface protein A (OspA), a nucleic acid coding the same, a pharmaceutical composition (particularly for use as a medicament of in a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection) comprising the polypeptide and/or the nucleic acid, a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection and a method of immunizing a subject.

The present invention relates to an immunogenic polypeptide, a nucleic acid encoding the same, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same and the immunogenic polypeptide, nucleic acid or pharmaceutical composition for use as a medicament, particularly a vaccine, or for use in a method of treating or preventing a Borrelia infection.