| 摘要 |
Proteins that are released by hookworm larvae following infection, and which are highly immunogenic in experimental animals, are disclosed. Data indicates that these polypeptides are useful in a vaccine for hookworm as well as other soil-transmitted human and veterinary nematodiases. The proteins are also useful as a target for specific treatment of hookworm, and can be used in a diagnostic assay for hookworm, using standard protein detection techniques, especially those based on antibodies. DNA encoding the proteins has been isolated. The proteins can be made by recombinant means in a variety of hosts. The recombinant proteins, or fragments thereof, can be formulated as a vaccine. The recombinant proteins can also be used in an assay to detect antibodies to the protein produced in a previous hookworm infection. The recombinant proteins can also be used to produce antibodies which recognize the proteins. DNA encoding all or immunogenic parts of the proteins can be used as probes to detect the presence of hookworm nucleic acid. Such probes are useful in assays of tissue samples, body fluid samples, and hookworm infection sources. Antibodies to the proteins can be produced using standard immunological techniques. Such antibodies are useful in diagnostic assays to detect proteins produced during hookworm infection.
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