Abstract: Described herein are methods for identifying C. canimorsus in a sample as one of serotype A, serotype B, serotype C, serotype D or serotype E, amplification primer pairs, sets of primer pairs, oligonucleotide probes, sets of oligonucleotide probes, polyclonal antibodies, sets of polyclonal antibodies and kits that can be used for such methods. The application further provides polyvalent vaccines for the protection against an infection with C. canimorsus, methods of preparing said polyvalent vaccines and uses of these polyvalent vaccines.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides comprising a lipoprotein export signal, polypeptide precursors comprising a lipoprotein export signal, nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides or polypeptide precursors, recombinant expression vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding said lipoprotein export signal and/or polypeptides or polypeptide precursors, and 5 recombinant host cells comprising these vectors. The application further provides uses of these polypeptides, polypeptide precursors, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors and recombinant host cells.