Abstract: This invention relates to unique antigens in a brucellosis vaccine which Provide an immune response against bacteria which cause brucellosis in cattle and Other animals. The vaccine specifically uses Bp26 and LeuB expressed to create the immunity.

Abstract: This invention relates to unique antigens in a brucellosis vaccine which Provide an immune response against bacteria which cause brucellosis in cattle and other animals.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for producing an immune response for reducing the risk of developing brucellosis. For example, this document provides vaccines for administration to animals as well as methods for producing an immune response against bacteria that cause brucellosis using vaccines provided herein. The vaccines provided herein can be effective for reducing the risk of developing brucellosis from multiple species of Brucella.

Abstract: A recombinant, attenuated strain of Brucella suis or Brucella melitensis with a deficiency in carboxyl-terminal protease activity or tail-specific protease activity can be used as a vaccine for the prevention or treatment of Brucellosis. Prior exposure to the Brucella species is identified by detecting a genetic sequence for carboxyl-terminal (i.e. tail-specific) protease activity in a biological sample.

Abstract: Live Brucella vaccines and methods for preparing the live vaccines protective against brucellosis are described. The vaccines are prepared by introducing a deletion in the rfbU gene of a strain of Brucella which results in attenuation of the strain while retaining the desired immunogenicity to initiate a protective immunogenic response. Other strains with varying levels of attenuation are described.

Abstract: Vaccines against facultative intracellular pathogens are disclosed. A host is vaccinated with non-viable but metabolically active agents. The non-viable agents produce immunogenic components that elicit protective host immune responses, with minimal likelihood of host infection by the vaccine agent. Living agents, either attenuated or virulent, are exposed to a dose of gamma irradiation (or other strong mutagen) that is sufficient to limit or prevent the replication of the agents within the host, but that is insufficient to stop the metabolic activities of the agent. In vitro exposure of a microbial agent to the damaging effects of gamma irradiation or of another strong mutagen induces certain stress responses in the infectious agent. These stress responses are similar to the stress responses that the virulent agent would produce within the tissues of the host.