Disclosed is a mutant strain of Sarcocystidae in which the two genes mic1 and mic3 are deleted containing two specific recombination sites of an enzyme allowing a specific recombination, in particular Cre-recombinase, the specific recombination sites being at the respective locus of each of the deleted genes, the specific recombination site of the enzyme allowing specific recombination, in particular of the Cre-recombinase, at the locus of the deleted mic1 gene being different from that of the deleted mic3 gene.

The present specification discloses Trypanosoma antigens, immunogenic compositions and medicaments comprising such Trypanosoma antigens, methods and uses for such Trypanosoma antigens and immunogenic compositions for treating a Trypanosoma-based disease.

The present specification discloses Trypanosoma antigens, immunogenic compositions and medicaments comprising such Trypanosoma antigens, methods and uses for such Trypanosoma antigens and immunogenic compositions for treating a Trypanosoma-based disease.

The present invention claims an isolated nucleotide sequence characterized by encoding the PFR1 protein of Leishmania infantum or a fragment thereof. This PFR1 protein or a fragment thereof comprises at least a selected immunodominant epitope between the following group: SEQ ID No: 1, SEQ ID No: 2, SEQ ID No: 3, SEQ ID No: 4, SEQ ID No: 5, SEQ ID No: 6, SEQ ID No: 7 and SEQ ID No: 8, where the immunodominant epitope is able to induce an antigen-specific T cell cytotoxic immune response in an animal, against the kinetoplastids causing the leishmaniasis disease. The immunodominant epitopes are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activators and they present a high binding affinity for A2 type MHC Class I molecule.

The present invention claims an isolated nucleotide sequence characterized by encoding the PFR1 protein of Leishmania infantum or a fragment thereof. This PFR1 protein or a fragment thereof comprises at least a selected immunodominant epitope between the following group: SEQ ID No: 1, SEQ ID No: 2, SEQ ID No: 3, SEQ ID No: 4, SEQ ID No: 5, SEQ ID No: 6, SEQ ID No: 7 and SEQ ID No: 8, where the immunodominant epitope is able to induce an antigen-specific T cell cytotoxic immune response in an animal, against the kinetoplastids causing the leishmaniasis disease. The immunodominant epitopes are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activators and they present a high binding affinity for A2 type MHC Class I molecule.

This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic helminths.

This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic helminths.

The present invention provides compositions and methods that can be used to determine a peptide signature for an antibody repertoire in a sample comprising multiple antibodies. The of an antibody specificity in method can be used to characterize a phenotype in a sample, such as providing a diagnosis, prognosis or theranosis of a medical condition.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating leishmaniasis in mammals. The invention more particularly relates to immunotherapeutic treatment of Leishmania in infected mammals, and is suitable for treating animals (e.g., dogs) and humans. The invention may be used alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

The present invention provides compositions and methods that can be used to determine a peptide signature for an antibody repertoire in a sample comprising multiple antibodies. The method can be used to characterize a phenotype in a sample, such as providing a diagnosis, prognosis or theranosis of a medical condition.