Abstract: An antigenic composition comprising an antigen and an effective adjuvant, the adjuvant comprising isolated or recombinant YscF, a YscF fragment, truncated YscF (trYscF), or homologs thereof. A method of inducing an enhanced immune response comprising administering an antigen and an effective adjuvant comprising isolated or recombinant YscF, a YscF fragment, trYscF, or homologs thereof. An antigenic composition produced by a process comprising providing a host cell with an expression vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding YscF, a YscF fragment, trYscF, or YscF homolog capable of acting as an adjuvant; expressing the nucleotide sequence in the host cell to produce the protein; and mixing the collected protein with a suitable excipient.

Abstract: An antigenic composition comprising an antigen and an effective adjuvant, the adjuvant comprising isolated or recombinant YscF, a YscF fragment, truncated YscF (trYscF), or homologs thereof. A method of inducing an enhanced immune response comprising administering an antigen and an effective adjuvant comprising isolated or recombinant YscF, a YscF fragment, trYscF, or homologs thereof. An antigenic composition produced by a process comprising providing a host cell with an expression vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding YscF, a YscF fragment, trYscF, or YscF homolog capable of acting as an adjuvant; expressing the nucleotide sequence in the host cell to produce the protein; and mixing the collected protein with a suitable excipient.

Abstract: A method of protecting an animal from infections with pathogens originating from Yersinia comprising administering an isolated or recombinant YscF protein to the animal is disclosed. The isolated or recombinant YscF protein may be administered as a vaccine. An isolated or recombinant YscF protein capable of conferring protection to an animal against a pathogen of a Yersinia origin is further disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the isolated or recombinant YscF protein are also disclosed. In other embodiments, antibodies generated against the isolated or recombinant YscF protein capable of conferring protection to an animal against a pathogen or a Yersinia origin and uses of the antibodies are described.