Abstract: The present invention discloses a rabbit coccidiosis vaccine and application thereof, the vaccine comprises 100 to 800 Eimeria media/dose, 200 to 1600 Eimeria magna/dose, and 100 to 800 Eimeria intestinalis/dose. The composition of the vaccine possesses the characteristics as scientific reasonable, low cost, no drug residue or drug resistance or environmental pollution would occur, good immunogenicity and safe to use. After oral immunization in rabbits, it may effectively resist the infections of 1×105 Eimeria media, 5×104 Eimeria magna and 3×103 Eimeria intestinalis. It also may be used to prepare a pharmaceutical preparation against rabbit coccidiosis.

Abstract: Whole corn kernels or particles thereof are enzymatically disassembled. The method can produce a solid starch fraction, a solid pericarp fraction, and a liquid fraction. A high purity starch solids product can be provided suitable for use as a feedstock in other chemical processes.

Abstract: A process for cultivating photosynthetic microbes comprising Closed Systems for continuous cultivation and Open Systems for batch cultivation, in which (a) the Closed System Area occupies no more than 20% of the Total Land Area of the cultivation facility; (b) batch cultures in the Open Systems are initiated with an inoculum from the Closed Systems containing a cell biomass of no less than 5% of the carrying capacity of said Open System; (c) the doubling rate of said photosynthetic microbe is no less than once every 16 hours; and (d) the residence time of the batch culture in said Open System is no more than a period of 5 days.

Abstract: The present invention provides the recombinant cloning and sequencing of two of the major Eimeria maxima gametocyte antigens having molecular weights of 56 and 82 kDa and the expression of these recombinant antigens in an E. coli expression system using the plasmid pTrcHis. The subject invention also provides a vaccine against coccidiosis comprising the recombinant 56 kDa or 82 kDa antigen. The subject invention also provides two 30 kDa proteins and three 14 kDa proteins from Eimeria maxima gametocytes having at the N-terminal end the amino acid sequence described herein. The subject invention also provides a vaccine against coccidiosis comprising the recombinant 56 kDa or 82 kDa antigen and any of the aforementioned proteins.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides, capable of inducing an immune response against multiple parasites, and methods of designing such polypeptides, are provided. Also provided by the invention are polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, as well as recombinant vectors and transformed host cells containing the said polynucleotides. Oral administration and intramuscular injection of the polypeptides provides vaccination protection against infection from Eimeria parasites that result in the poultry disease coccidiosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of excysting and growing protozoal oocysts by in vitro tissue culture resulting in production of a continuous culture of merozoites. The invention also provides an economical and reliable supply of cultured Eimeria sp. for vaccine production, assays and research. Domesticated avians that have been vaccinated using the provied Eimeria sp. are also provided.

Abstract: A process for cultivating photosynthetic microbes comprising Closed Systems for continuous cultivation and Open Systems for batch cultivation, in which (a) the Closed System Area occupies no more than 20% of the Total Land Area of the cultivation facility; (b) batch cultures in the Open Systems are initiated with an inoculum from the Closed Systems containing a cell biomass of no less than 5% of the carrying capacity of said Open System; (c) the doubling rate of said photosynthetic microbe is no less than once every 16 hours; and (d) the residence time of the batch culture in said Open System is no more than a period of 5 days.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a 250 kDa polypeptide from Sporozoites/Merozoites of Eimeria maxima, or encoding a homolog of the polypeptide, or a complement of the nucleic acid and a method of producing a recombinant 250 kDa polypeptide of the same. The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an immunodominant portion of a 250 kDa polypeptide from Sporozoites/Merozoites of Eimeria maxima having the amino acid sequence described herein, or encoding a homolog of the polypeptide, or a complement of the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides the recombinant cloning and sequencing of two of the major Eimeria maxima gametocyte antigens having molecular weights of 56 and 82 kDa and the expression of these recombinant antigens in an E. coli expression system using the plasmid pTrcHis. The subject invention also provides a vaccine against coccidiosis comprising the recombinant 56 kDa or 82 kDa antigen. The subject invention also provides two 30 kDa proteins and three 14 kDa proteins from Eimeria maxima gametocytes having at the N-terminal end the amino acid sequence described herein. The subject invention also provides a vaccine against coccidiosis comprising the recombinant 56 kDa or 82 kDa antigen and any of the aforementioned proteins.

Abstract: Methods of releasing sporocysts/sporozoites from oocysts are provided wherein a solution of oocysts is subjected to controlled shear forces sufficient to rupture the oocysts walls and release sporocysts/sporozoites therefrom. A solution of oocysts is passed through a Microfluidizer® processor chamber unit under defined conditions of chamber diameter, chamber geometry, and pressure. Oocysts impact the wall of the chamber and are subjected to controlled, high shear forces, tearing open the oocyst wall and releasing the sporocysts/sporozoites intact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of excysting and growing protozoal oocysts by in vitro tissue culture resulting in production of a continuous culture of merozoites. The invention also provides an economical and reliable supply of cultured Eimeria sp. for vaccine production, assays and research. Domesticated avians that have been vaccinated using the provied Eimeria sp. are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for producing oocysts. The oocysts produced according to the invention find use in the manufacture of vaccines. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of Eimeria oocysts. Vaccines containing Eimeria oocysts, sporocysts and/or sporozoites produced according to the present invention may be used to immunize birds against coccidiosis either in ovo or post hatch.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for purifying protozoan oocysts. In particular embodiments, the oocysts are Eimeria oocysts. The methods comprise contacting a composition comprising fecal material and protozoan oocysts with polysaccharidase under conditions sufficient to reduce the amount of fecal material in the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of vaccinating a domesticated bird against coccidiosis comprising administering in ovo an effective immnunizing dose of live Eimeria sporozoites or merozoites, or a mixture thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the domesticated bird that is vaccinated is a chicken or turkey.

Abstract: An immunovariant strain of Eimeria maxima was isolated. Vaccines incorporating the immunovariant strain are effective in eliciting immunological protection against coccidial infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (a) variable regions of heavy and light chains of an antibody specific to a surface antigen in sporozoite of Eimeria spp.; (b) a recombinant scFV (single chain variable fragment) antibody prepared using the variable regions; (c) a method for preparing a recombinant scFv antibody; and (d) an expression vector for expressing a recombinant scFv antibody.

Abstract: Protozoal cyclic GMP dependent protein kinases have been isolated and cloned. These enzymes may be used in screening assays to identify potential antiprotozoal agents.

Abstract: This invention provides DNA sequences coding for Eimeria surface antigens, recombinant vectors containing such DNA sequences, transformed microorganisms containing such vectors and methods for producing the antigens using the transformed microorganisms. Methods are also provided for protecting poultry against coccidiosis using the Eimeria surface antigens. The surface antigens can be administered for such protection either as purified proteins or in the form of DNA encoding the proteins in a suitable viral vector such as vaccinia virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for producing oocysts. The oocysts produced according to the invention find use in the manufacture of vaccines. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of Eimeria oocysts. Vaccines containing Eimeria oocysts, sporocysts and/or sporozoites produced according to the present invention may be used to immunize birds against coccidiosis either in ovo or post hatch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (a) variable regions of heavy and light chains of an antibody specific to a surface antigen in sporozoite of Eimeria spp.; (b) a recombinant scFV (single chain variable fragment) antibody prepared using the variable regions; (c) a method for preparing a recombinant scFv antibody; and (d) an expression vector for expressing a recombinant scFv antibody.

Abstract: Protozoal cyclic GMP dependent protein kinases have been isolated and cloned. These enzymes may be used in screening assays to identify potential antiprotozoal agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coccidiosis strains and, in another embodiment to microbiological cultures comprising such strains. Another embodiment of the invention relates to vaccines based thereon. Still other embodiments relate to the use of such strains for the preparation of vaccines for the protection against coccidiosis and to methods for the preparation of such vaccines.