BARTONELLA HENSELAE VIRB OPERON AND PROTEINS ENCODED THEREBY

摘要

The present invention includes nucleic acids of the Bartonella henselae virB virulence operon and polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids. The invention includes expression vectors containing the nucleic acids and transformed cell lines containing the expression vectors. The invention includes detection methods for B. henselae infection, and kits for performing these methods. The methods comprise detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides of the invention, or antibodies against the polypeptides, in patient fluids. Also included in the invention are therapeutic compositions, such as vaccines, for treating Bartonella henselae infection. Furthermore, the invention includes antibodies against the polypeptides encoded by the B. henselae virB operon. Finally, the invention includes methods of producing polypeptides encoded by the B. henselae virB operon.