The present invention in general relates Hemoglobin receptor or its part as a novel vaccine candidate against Leishmaniasis. Specifically, the present invention envisages HbR DNA for eliciting immune response in a mammal against Leishmaniasis. Additional aspect of the present invention is related to a vaccine composition for inducing immune response against Leishmaniasis in mammals. In a preferred aspect, the present invention relates to use of HbR-polypeptide as marker for diagnosis of Leishmania in kala-azar patients.

The present invention in general relates Hemoglobin receptor or its part as a novel vaccine candidate against Leishmaniasis. Specifically, the present invention envisages HbR DNA for eliciting immune response in a mammal against Leishmaniasis. Additional aspect of the present invention is related to a vaccine composition for inducing immune response against Leishmaniasis in mammals. In a preferred aspect, the present invention relates to use of HbR-polypeptide as marker for diagnosis of Leishmania in kala-azar patients.

The technology provided herein relates to novel anti-parasitic complexes, in particular recombinant fusion proteins suitable as human and/or animal drugs against a parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, in particular against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) comprising at least one component A and at least one component B, characterized in that component A has a binding activity for cellular surface structures presented on the surface of a parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa or for parasitic antigens presented on a parasitized host cell, and component B is a compound having anti-parasitic activity.

The technology provided herein relates to novel malaria vaccines composed of different recombinant proteins, in particular recombinant fusion proteins comprising several different Plasmodium falciparum antigens from the pre-erythrocytic, the blood, and the sexual parasite main stages. The proteins may be used in a mixture vaccine formulation to elicit protective immune responses in humans. Nucleic acid molecules encoding said recombinant proteins, vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acids and methods for preparation and producing such proteins are also disclosed, as well as antibodies induced or generated by the use of said malaria vaccines and the use of such antibodies or recombinant derivatives for passive immunotherapy.

There are provided antibodies and combination thereof, and other binding proteins against malarial antigens, as well as said antigens and vectors encoding the antibodies and antigens. The invention also provides the use of such compounds and combinations thereof in the prevention or treatment of malaria. In particular, synergistic combinations of non-neutralising antibodies directed towards an epitope on Reticulocyte-binding protein Homologue 5 (PfRH5) and neutralising antibodies directed towards Plasmodium merozoite antigens are provided.

In various aspects and embodiments, the invention provides a method of detecting a Babesia infection in a subject comprising detecting one or more peptides selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-62 in a biological sample collected from the subject; wherein detecting one or more of the peptides indicates the presence of Babesia infection.

Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. The disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments, nucleic acids and vectors can be used, for example, to inhibit a P. falciparum infection.

A method of generating an antibody and cellular immune response against a Plasmodium in a primate, comprising administering at least 10.sup.3 genetically modified live Plasmodium to the primate, wherein the genetically modified live Plasmodium is a species selected from Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium coatneyi, Plasmodium cynomolgi, and Plasmodium simium, and wherein the genetically modified live Plasmodium does not produce functional histamine releasing factor (HRF) protein, to thereby induce an antibody and cellular immune response against the Plasmodium in the primate. In some embodiments at least 10.sup.4 genetically modified live Plasmodium is administered to the primate. An immunogenic composition for administration to a primate, comprising a at least 10.sup.3 genetically modified live Plasmodium wherein the genetically modified live Plasmodium is a species selected from Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium coatneyi, Plasmodium cynomolgi, and Plasmodium simium, and wherein the genetically modified live Plasmodium does not produce functional histamine releasing factor (HRF) protein; and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and/or support. In some embodiments the immunogenic composition comprises at least 10.sup.3 genetically a modified live Plasmodium.

Provided herein are anti-circumsporozoite (CSP) antibodies, compositions comprising such antibodies, and methods of producing the antibodies. Additionally provided are methods of treating or preventing malaria using the anti-CSP antibodies.

Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein and neutralize P. falciparum are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. The disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments, nucleic acids and vectors can be used, for example, to inhibit a P. falciparum infection.