Abstract: Compositions and methods for treatment and vaccination against tuberculosis are disclosed. In one aspect the compositions provided include at least two polypeptides that contain an immunogenic portion of a M. tuberculosis antigen or at least two DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides. In a second aspect, the compositions provided include a fusion protein comprising at least two polypeptides that contain an immunogenic portion of a M. tuberculosis antigen. Such compositions may be formulated into vaccines and/or pharmaceutical compositions for immunization against M. tuberculosis infection, or may be used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly prostate cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more prostate-specific polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly prostate cancer.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for diagnosing tuberculosis are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of one or more M. tuberculosis proteins, and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of M. tuberculosis infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for inducing protective immunity against tuberculosis are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one immunogenic portion of one or more M. tuberculosis proteins and DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides. Such compounds may be formulated into vaccines and/or pharmaceutical compositions for immunization against M. tuberculosis infection, or may be used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for diagnosing tuberculosis are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of one or more M. tuberculosis proteins, and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of M. tuberculosis infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The disclosed compounds are polypeptides, or antibodies thereto, that contain one or more epitopes of T. cruzi antigens. The compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting T. cruzi infection. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing protective immunity against Chagas' disease in individuals exposed to T. cruzi.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydial infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a Chlamydial antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided, together with antibodies directed against such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Chlamydial infection in patients and in biological samples.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The disclosed compounds are polypeptides, or antibodies thereto, that contain one or more epitopes of T. cruzi antigens. The compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting T. cruzi infection. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing protective immunity against Chagas' disease in individuals exposed to T. cruzi.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi infection, or for screening for T. cruzi or Leishmania infection, are disclosed. The disclosed compounds are polypeptides, or antibodies thereto, that contain one or more antigenic epitopes of T. cruzi proteins. The compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting T. cruzi infection. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing Chagas' disease in individuals exposed to T. cruzi.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The disclosed compounds are polypeptides, or antibodies thereto, that contain one or more epitopes of T. cruzi antigens. The compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting T. cruzi infection. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing protective immunity against Chagas' disease in individuals exposed to T. cruzi.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for diagnosing Leishmania infection. Disclosed compounds include polypeptides that contain at least an epitope of the Leishmania chagasi acidic ribosomal antigen LcP0, or a variant thereof. Such compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting Leishmania infection and for identifying individuals with asymptomatic infections that are likely to progress to acute visceral leishmaniasis. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing leishmaniasis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leishmaniasis and stimulating immune responses in patients are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least an immunogenic portion of one or more Leishmania antigens, or a variant thereof. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such polypeptides are also provided and may be used, for example, for the prevention and therapy of leishmaniasis, as well as for the detection of Leishmania infection.