United States Patent:  6,100,241

Assignee:  Akzo Nobel, N.V. (NL)

Filed:  July 3, 1996

This invention relates to Eimeria proteins with immunogenic properties as well as to DNA sequences encoding these proteins. These proteins can be administered to poultry thereby protecting the birds against coccidiosis. In addition the DNA encoding these proteins can be used for the preparation of a vector vaccine against coccidiosis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that a very immunogenic protein can be isolated from the 42hr developmental stage of Eimeria schizonts. Surprisingly, this protein is found intracellularly in Eimeria and it appears to contain high sequence homology with known heterologous lactate dehydrogenases (LDH).

Thus, the invention provides a protein having one or more immunoreactive and/or antigenic determinants of Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase, which has a monomeric molecular weight of about 37 kD.

More specifically the lactate hydrogenase is derived from Eimeria acervulina.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a nucleic acid sequence encoding all or a substantial part, in particular the immunologically active part, of a purified Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase. Such a nucleic acid sequence may be operatively linked to expression control sequences resulting in a recombinant nucleic acid molecule which, when inserted into a suitable vector, results in a recombinant vector capable of expressing the nucleic acid sequence.

Such a recombinant vector, or nucleic acid sequence as defined above, may be used to transform a suitable host cell or organism. Such a transformed host cell or organism may, in turn, be used to produce the stimulatory protein for incorporation into a vaccine for the protection of poultry against coccidiosis. Alternatively, the transformed host cell or organism may its elf be incorporated into a vaccine.

Claim 1 of 25 Claims

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an immunogenic fragment of Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), wherein said LDH is one that will immunologically react with antiserum raised against the LDH of SEQ ID NO: 2.

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