Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a method for suppressing inflammation (e.g. allergic inflammation, for example asthma caused by ragweed), a Th1-mediated condition and/or a Th2-mediated condition and/or a condition in which administration of an antioxidant would be beneficial, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an anitinflammatory-effective amount of Ascaris-derived heme-binding protein (HBP) or an active fragment or variant thereof (e.g. domain 2 of the polypeptide or an active variant thereof). Also described are pharmaceutical compositions for suppressing one of the above conditions, adjuvant compositions and immunogenic compositions comprising Ascaris-derived heme-binding protein (HBP), or an active fragment or variant thereof, and an antigen.

Abstract: This invention relates to flagella-less strains of Borrelia and to novel methods for use of the microorganisms as vaccines and in diagnostic assays. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the present invention encompasses flagella-less strains of other microorganisms belonging to the genus Borrelia. Accordingly, with the aid of the disclosure, flagella-less mutants of other Borrelia species, e.g., B. coriacei, which causes epidemic bovine abortion, B. anserina, which causes avian spirochetosis, and B. recurrentis and other Borrelia species causative of relapsing fever, such as Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia turicatae, Borrelia duttoni, Borrelia persica, and Borrelia hispanica, can be prepared and used in accordance with the present invention and are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to flagella-less strains of Borrelia to novel methods for use of the microorganisms as vaccines and in diagnostic assays. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the present invention encompasses flagella-less strains of other microorganisms belonging to the genus Borrelia. Accordingly, with the aid of the disclosure, flagella-less mutants of other Borrelia species, e.g., B. coriacei, which causes epidemic bovine abortion, B. anserina, which causes avian spirochetosis, and B. recurrentis and other Borrelia species causative of relapsing fever, such as Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia turicatae, Borrelia duttoni, Borrelia persica, and Borrelia hispanica, can be prepared and used in accordance with the present invention and are within the scope of the invention. Therefore, a preferred embodiment comprises a composition of matter comprising a substantially pure preparation of a strain of a flagella-less microorganism belonging to the genus Borrelia.