Patent Number: 6277973
Docket Number: 4699
Serial Number: 9451117
Date Patented: 08/21/2001

Technology Description: The recombinant proteins of the invention can be used for the immunization of animals against cryptosporidiosis. The proteins are specific for Cryptosporidium parvum, a protozoan parasite that has been implicated in numerous outbreaks of diarrheal disease in the human population. The recombinant proteins can be used to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, hyperimmune serum, or hyperimmune colostrum for use in immunotherapeutic methods for preventing and treating C. parvum infection in a variety of animals. The monoclonal antibodies can be used to selectively detect and identify C. parvum oocysts in clinical and veterinary samples and in water samples. As a public health issue, there is a need for a method to identify and enumerate the presence of C. parvum in water. Novel PCR primers can be used for sensitive detection of the parasite by polymerase chain reaction. The recombinant proteins of the invention can be used as a vaccine to help prevent or decrease the severity of cryptosporidiosis. Reference: Please refer to USPN 6,521,229 (Docket #0186.01), "A 41kDa Cryptosporidium parvum Oocyst Wall Protein, which issued February 18, 2003, and is a divisional of USPN 6,277,973 (Docket #0046.99), which issued August 21, 2001.  Foreign rights are not available. Inventors: Mark C. Jenkins Immunology and Disease Resistance Lab Beltsville, Maryland 20705 (301) 504-8054 / Fax: (301) 504-5306 Ronald Fayer (Same as first inventor) (301) 504-8750 / Fax: (301)504-5306 James Trout (Same as first inventor) (301) 504-8946 / Fax: (301) 504-5306