Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments the invention provides methods and compositions for generating tick immunity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing and treating infection by Plasmodium sporozoites.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions comprising mosquito (e.g., Aedes aegypti) salivary polypeptides and related methods for preventing and/or treating mosquito-borne viral infections such as infections caused by flaviviruses and alphaviruses. The flavivirus that is prevented or treated includes Zika virus, West Nile virus, Dengue virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and yellow fever virus.

Abstract: As microbial drug-resistance increases, there is a critical need for new classes of compounds to combat infectious diseases. The Ixodes scapularis tick antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, functions as an anti-infective agent against diverse bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Recombinant IAFGP and a peptide, P1, described herein and derived from this protein, bind to microbes and alter biofilm formation. Transgenic iafgp-expressing flies and mice challenged with bacteria, as well as wild-type animals administered IAFGP or P1, were resistant to infection, septic shock, or biofilm development on implanted biomaterials. Antifreeze protein controls bacterial infection and present new therapeutic strategies to counter pathogens.

Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments the invention provides methods and compositions for generating tick immunity.

Abstract: As microbial drug-resistance increases, there is a critical need for new classes of compounds to combat infectious diseases. The Ixodes scapularis tick antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, functions as an anti-infective agent against diverse bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Recombinant IAFGP and a peptide, P1, described herein and derived from this protein, bind to microbes and alter biofilm formation. Transgenic iafgp-expressing flies and mice challenged with bacteria, as well as wild-type animals administered IAFGP or P1, were resistant to infection, septic shock, or biofilm development on implanted biomaterials. Antifreeze protein controls bacterial infection and present new therapeutic strategies to counter pathogens.

Abstract: As microbial drug-resistance increases, there is a critical need for new classes of compounds to combat infectious diseases. The Ixodes scapularis tick antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, functions as an anti-infective agent against diverse bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Recombinant IAFGP and a peptide, PI, described herein and derived from this protein, bind to microbes and alter biofilm formation. Transgenic iafgp-expressing flies and mice challenged with bacteria, as well as wild-type animals administered IAFGP or PI, were resistant to infection, septic shock, or biofilm development on implanted biomaterials. Antifreeze protein controls bacterial infection and present new therapeutic strategies to counter pathogens.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing and treating infection by Plasmodium sporozoites.

Abstract: As microbial drug-resistance increases, there is a critical need for new classes of compounds to combat infectious diseases. The Ixodes scapularis tick antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, functions as an anti-infective agent against diverse bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Recombinant IAFGP and a peptide, PI, described herein and derived from this protein, bind to microbes and alter biofilm formation. Transgenic iafgp-expressing flies and mice challenged with bacteria, as well as wild-type animals administered IAFGP or PI, were resistant to infection, septic shock, or biofilm development on implanted biomaterials. Antifreeze protein controls bacterial infection and present new therapeutic strategies to counter pathogens.

Abstract: Ixodes Scapularis salivary proteins, including Ixodes Scapularis anti-complement protein (Isac) and Isac-like protein family (ILP family) proteins, biologically functional equivalents and fragments thereof, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are disclosed. ILP family proteins, gene products and polypeptide fragments bind to proteins with thrombospondin repeats. Thus, therapeutic methods involving modulating proteins with thrombospondin repeats using ILP family proteins and biologically active polypeptide fragments thereof are also disclosed. ILP family proteins, gene products and polypeptide fragments have biological activity in modulating the complement pathway through specific binding to properdin. Thus, therapeutic methods involving modulating the complement pathway using ILP family proteins and biologically active polypeptide fragments thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-West Nile virus E protein (WNE) antibodies, including human antibodies, and antigen-binding portions thereof. In particular, the invention relates to such antibodies and portions that prevent, inhibit, or treat a flavivirus infection, including a West Nile Virus infection. The invention also relates to antibodies that are chimeric, bispecific, derivatized, single chain antibodies or that are portions of fusion proteins. The invention also relates to isolated heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human anti-WNE antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins. The present invention also relates to methods of making human anti-WNE antibodies, compositions comprising these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies and compositions for diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of Lyme disease. Novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, serotypic variants thereof, fragments thereof and derivatives thereof. Fusion proteins and multimeric proteins comprising same. Multicomponent vaccines comprising novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides in addition to other immunogenic B. burgdorferi polypeptides. DNA sequences, recombinant DNA molecules and transformed host cells useful in the compositions and methods. Antibodies directed against the novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, and diagnostic kits comprising the polypeptides or antibodies.

Abstract: This application is directed to compositions and methods comprising isolated and purified West Nile virus polypeptides and immunogenic fragments thereof, nucleic acid molecules encoding them and antibodies specific for such polypeptides or fragments. Such polypeptides and fragments, fusion proteins comprising them and antibodies are useful as vaccines to treat, inhibit or prevent West Nile virus infection or disease, to detect West Nile virus infection and to monitor the course of disease or immunization.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention and diagnosis of Lyme disease. OspA and OspB polypeptides and serotypic variants thereof, which elicit in a treated animal the formation of an immune response which is effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with B. burgdorferi. A screening method for the selection of those OspA and OspB polypeptides and anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are useful for the prevention and detection of Lyme disease. Diagnostic kits including OspA and OspB polypeptides or antibodies directed against such polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for conferring tick immunity and preventing or reducing the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Tick polypeptides, fragments and derivatives; fusion and multimeric proteins comprising the polypeptides, fragments or derivatives; nucleic acid molecules encoding them; antibodies directed against the polypeptides, fusion proteins or multimeric proteins and compositions comprising the antibodies. Vaccines comprising the polypeptides, fragments or derivatives, alone or in addition to other protective polypeptides. Methods comprising the polypeptides, antibodies and vaccines.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention and diagnosis of Lyme disease. OspA and OspB polypeptides and serotypic variants thereof, which elicit in a treated animal the formation of an immune response which is effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with B. burgdorferi. Anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with B. burgdorferi. A screening method for the selection of those OspA and OspB polypeptides and anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are useful for the prevention and detection of Lyre disease. Diagnostic kits including OspA and OspB polypeptides or antibodies directed against such polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of Lyme disease. Novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, serotypic variants thereof, fragments thereof and derivatives thereof. Fusion proteins and multimeric proteins comprising same. Multicomponent vaccines comprising novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides in addition to other immunogenic B. burgdorferi polypeptides. DNA sequences, recombinant DNA molecules and transformed host cells useful in the compositions and methods. Antibodies directed against the novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, and diagnostic kits comprising the polypeptides or antibodies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention and diagnosis of Lyme disease. OspA and OspB polypeptides and serotypic variants thereof, which elicit in a treated animal the formation of an immune response which is effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with B. burgdorferi. Anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with B. burgdorferi. A screening method for the selection of those OspA and OspB polypeptides and anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are useful for the prevention and detection of Lyme disease. Diagnostic kits including OspA and OspB polypeptides or antibodies directed against such polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of Lyme disease. Novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, serotypic variants thereof, fragments thereof and derivatives thereof. Fusion proteins and multimeric proteins comprising same. Multicomponent vaccines comprising novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides in addition to other immunogenic B. burgdorferi polypeptides. DNA sequences, recombinant DNA molecules and transformed host cells useful in the compositions and methods. Antibodies directed against the novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, and diagnostic kits comprising the polypeptides or antibodies.

Abstract: Diagnostic means and methods for Lyme disease comprising B. burgdorferi flagellin polypeptides and antibodies. Compositions and methods comprising neuroborreliosis-associated antigens useful for the detection, treatment and prevention of neuroborreliosis, arthritis, carditis and other manifestations of Lyme disease.