Provided herein are immunogenic compositions that may be used, in some aspects, to induce an immune response against an Ehrlichia such as Ehrlichia cams. In some embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises an E. canis bacterin and/or adjuvant, such as for example an emulsion or liposomal adjuvant. Related methods such as for diagnosis of or vaccination against ehrlichiosis are also provided.

Infection with obligatory intracellular bacteria is difficult to treat as intracellular targets and delivery methods of therapeutics are not well-known. Ehrlichia translocated factor-1 (Etf-1), a type IV secretion system (T4SS) effector, is a primary virulence factor for an obligatory intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Disclosed herein are Etf-1-specific nanobodies (Nbs) that block Etf-1 functions and Ehrlichia infection. Also disclosed is a method for treating human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) in a subject with the disclosed nanobodies.

Anaplasma Marginale surface protein OmpA and homologous genes from Anaplasmatacaea family members are used in compositions suitable for vaccines to treat or prevent infections caused by tick-born bacteria of the Anaplasmatacaea family. OmpA proteins or peptide fragments may be used in combination with other Anaplasmatacaea surface proteins to elicit an immune response. Furthermore, antibodies to OmpA proteins can be used in diagnostic methods to determine whether an individual has contracted an Anaplasmatacaea infection.

A new cell line and an antibody for determining the activity of botulinum toxin are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of determining the activity of botulinum toxin using the cell line and/or the antibody.

Provided herein are chimeric recombinant polypeptides (chimeritopes) for use in vaccines against Anaplasmosis, in assays for diagnosing Anaplasmosis and in assays for measuring antibody titers induced by vaccination. The chimeritopes comprise, for example, antigenic segments of three Anaplasma proteins (OmpA, AipA and Asp14) and a non-antigenic segment of a Borrelia Osp protein (e.g. OspC) that is 10 amino acids in length, proline rich and random coil in conformation. Compositions comprising the chimeritopes, optionally in combination with additional Anaplasma proteins of interest, are also provided, as are methods of using the compositions as vaccines and diagnostic tools.

A new cell line and an antibody for determining the activity of botulinum toxin are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of determining the activity of botulinum toxin using the cell line and/or the antibody.

A new cell line and an antibody for determining the activity of botulinum toxin are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of determining the activity of botulinum toxin using the cell line and/or the antibody.

The present invention concerns gp36 immunoreactive compositions for E. canis and gp 47 immunoreactive compositions for E. chaffeensis. In particular, epitopes for E. canis gp36 and E. chaffeensis gp 47 are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the immunoreactive compositions comprise tandem repeats having carbohydrate moieties.

Provided herein are chimeric recombinant polypeptides (chimeritopes) for use in vaccines against Anaplasmosis, in assays for diagnosing Anaplasmosis and in assays for measuring antibody titers induced by vaccination. The chimeritopes comprise, for example, antigenic segments of three Anaplasma proteins (OmpA, AipA and Asp14) and a non-antigenic segment of a Borrelia Osp protein (e.g. OspC) that is 10 amino acids in length, proline rich and random coil in conformation. Compositions comprising the chimeritopes, optionally in combination with additional Anaplasma proteins of interest, are also provided, as are methods of using the compositions as vaccines and diagnostic tools.

Provided herein are chimeric recombinant polypeptides (chimeritopes) for use in vaccines against Anaplasmosis, in assays for diagnosing Anaplasmosis and in assays for measuring antibody titers induced by vaccination. The chimeritopes comprise, for example, antigenic segments of three Anaplasma proteins (OmpA, AipA and Asp14) and a non-antigenic segment of a Borrelia Osp protein (e.g. OspC) that is 10 amino acids in length, proline rich and random coil in conformation. Compositions comprising the chimeritopes, optionally in combination with additional Anaplasma proteins of interest, are also provided, as are methods of using the compositions as vaccines and diagnostic tools.