Patent Description:
Borrelia bacteria that cause TBRF are typically transmitted to humans through the bite of infected "soft ticks" of the genus Ornithodorus. Soft ticks differ in two important ways from the more familiar "hard ticks" (e.g., the dog tick and the deer tick). First, the bite of soft ticks is brief, usually lasting less than half an hour. Second, soft ticks do not search for prey in tall grass or brush. Instead, they live within rodent burrows, feeding as needed on the rodent (for example, squirrels, chipmunks and prairie dogs) as it sleeps.

The main symptoms of TBRF are high fever (e.g., <NUM>° F), headache, muscle and joint aches. Symptoms can reoccur, producing a telltale pattern of fever lasting roughly <NUM> days, followed by <NUM> days without fever, followed by another <NUM> days of fever. Without antibiotic treatment, this process can repeat several times.

Humans typically come into contact with soft ticks when they sleep in rodentinfested cabins. The ticks emerge at night and feed briefly while the person is sleeping. The bites are painless, and most people are unaware that they have been bitten. Between meals, the ticks may return to the nesting materials in their host burrows.

There are several Borrelia species that cause TBRF, and these are usually associated with specific species of ticks. For instance, B. hermsii is transmitted by O. hermsi ticks, B. parkerii by O. parkeri ticks, and B. turicatae by O. turicata ticks. Each tick species has a preferred habitat and preferred set of hosts.

Soft ticks can live up to <NUM> years. Individual ticks will take many blood meals during each stage of their life cycle, and some species can pass the infection along through their eggs to their offspring. The long life span of soft ticks means that once a cabin or homestead is infested, it may remain infested unless steps are taken to find and remove the rodent nest.

Since TBRF can be caused by several species of Borrelia, tests need to be comprehensive by including all known species. Also, identification of the Borrelia species can aid in identifying the host rodent for eradication. Currently, the standard for identification is by identification of TBRF spirochetes in blood smears of a subject presenting symptoms consistent with TBRF. After obtaining the blood draw the sample must be cultured for at least <NUM> hours to facilitate identification. However, even early in the disease when spirochetes are highest, positive identification is only made about <NUM>% of the time. gov/relapsing-fever/clinicians/index. Thus, prior art materials and methods result in a delay in diagnosis and provide a relatively low level of sensitivity and specificity.

Therefore, what is needed are new materials and methods suitable for the identification of TBRF causative agents with decreased assay time and increased sensitivity and specificity. In the prior art, <NPL>, describes a serochip for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies specific for tick-borne pathogens including Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia burgdoferi. The serochip comprises <NUM>-mer peptides that tile each protein with a <NUM>-aa overlap to the preceding peptide in a sliding window pattern.

The present invention solves these problems in the prior art by providing antigen-specific amino acid sequences for TBRF Borrelia specific species. These novel amino acid sequences are used in assays to identify TBRF specific Borrelia in samples from subjects suspected of having TBRF. With the amino acid sequences of the present invention, identification of TBRF Borrelia in subject samples is performed with greater speed, sensitivity and specificity than the prior art methods. The amino acid sequences of the present invention can be used in diagnostic and scientific assays. Examples of suitable assays are Immunoblots, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), etc..

Thus, the present invention contemplates a composition comprising labeled and/or tagged and/or bound amino acid sequences, wherein the labeled and/or tagged and/ or bound amino acid sequences consist of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and SEQ ID NO: <NUM>. The present invention further contemplates that the sequences, when bound are bound to a substance selected from the group consisting of nitrocellulose, nylon, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), magnetic beads, metal, plastic and agarose. The present invention further contemplates a method of detecting and distinguishing various species of Borrelia in a sample from a subject suspected of having tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF), the method comprising: providing a biological sample obtained from the subject suspected of having TBRF; mixing the biological sample with the composition according to claim <NUM>; and detecting a positive immunobinding reaction which indicates the presence of Borrelia in the subject, wherein: SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. hermsii in the subject, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ D NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. miyamotoi in the subject, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>; SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. turcica in the subject, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. turicatae in the subject, and SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. coriaceae in the subject. The present invention further contemplates that the sample is considered positive for a specific species of Borrelia if at least one amino acid sequence identified with a specific species is detected. The present invention further contemplates the use of the composition for detecting Borrelia antisera in a sample from a subject suspected of having tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF), said use comprising: providing a biological sample obtained from the subject suspected of having TBRF; mixing the biological sample with the composition according to claim <NUM>; and detecting a positive immunobinding reaction which indicates the presence of Borrelia antisera in the sample. The present invention further contemplates that when a primary antibody is bound to the labeled and/or tagged and/or bound amino acid sequences of the composition it is detected with anti-human IgG antibody conjugated or linked to a detectable moiety. The present invention further contemplates that the detectable moiety is selected from the group consisting of chromophores, radioactive moieties and enzymes. The present invention further contemplates that the detectable moiety comprises alkaline phosphatase. The present invention further contemplates that the detectable moiety comprises biotin.

<FIG> shows an Immunoblot using the TBRF Borrelia specific antigenic peptide encoding amino acid sequences of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims. The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for diagnosing and distinguishing various species of Borrelia in a sample from a subject suspected of having Tick-borne relapsing fever. The invention is based, in part, on the discovery of species-specific amino acid sequences encoding antigenic peptides (which may also be referred to as peptide antigens or antigens in the art), as described below. Further, nucleic acid sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure are described. The nucleic acid sequences may be labeled.

The present disclosure provides for antigenic amino acid sequences specific for various Borrelia species. The amino acid sequences of the present invention encode antigenic peptides that have high specificity and/or sensitivity for the indicated species.

A composition comprising one or more labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences is described, said amino acid sequences having <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% and/or <NUM>% homology to SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and SEQ ID NO: <NUM>. Sequences less than <NUM>% homologous may have deletions, additions and or substitutions of the <NUM>% homologous sequence. One of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine if sequences less than <NUM>% homologous can bind naturally or non-naturally occurring TBRF-related antibodies as well as the sensitivity and specificity of the antibody to the modified sequences. In other words, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to identify sequences with significant homology to SEQ ID NOs: <NUM> - <NUM> of the present invention that give acceptable or equivalent responses in the methods of the present invention without undue experimentation, in view of the teachings of this specification.

The present invention, in one aspect, is a composition comprising labeled and/or tagged and/or bound amino acid sequences, said amino acid sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and SEQ ID NO: <NUM>.

With regard to the present disclosure, the phrase "a composition comprising one or more labeled and/or tagged and/or bound amino acid sequences, said amino acid sequences consisting of," encompasses a composition having the one or more of the recited sequences and, for example, buffers, labels, etc. In other words, the sequence is limited to the sequence or sequences given but the composition is not limited. The definition specifically excludes amino acids naturally contiguous with a recited sequence being used as a label or tag as an element of the "composition comprising.

In the context of the present disclosure, a "tagged" amino acid sequence is an amino acid sequence that is attached to a detectable moiety. Non-limiting examples of such "tags" are natural and synthetic (i.e., non-naturally occurring) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences (e.g., poly-AAA tags), antibodies and detectable moieties such as labels (discussed below). Thus, the definitions of the phrases "labeled" and "tagged" may have overlap in that a tag may also, in some instances, function as a label. Further, tags useful with the present disclosure may be linked to a label.

The amino acid sequences of the present disclosure, or any tags attached to an amino acid sequence of the present disclosure, may be labeled with any suitable label known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such labels may include, but are not limited to, biotin/streptavidin, enzyme conjugates (e.g., horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase (AP), glucose oxidase and β-galactosidase), fluorescent moieties (e.g., FITC, fluorescein, rhodamine, etc.), biological fluorophores (e.g., green fluorescent protein, R-phycoerythrin) or other luminescent proteins, etc. Any suitable label known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used with the present invention.

Further, the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be "bound. " A "bound" amino acid sequence is an amino acid sequence that has been immobilized in order to permit the use of the amino acid sequence in a biological test such as, for example, immunoassays. In the context of the present disclosure, a "bound" amino acid sequence is an amino acid sequence attached (e.g., covalently or non-covalently bound, etc.) directly or indirectly to a non-natural surface or substance. Further still, the "bound" amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be attached, directly or indirectly, to a natural surface or substance, either of which is not naturally associated with the amino acid sequence. Non-limiting examples of substances to which the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be bound are nitrocellulose, nylon, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), plastics, metals, magnetic beads and agarose (e.g., beads). Linking agents known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used to aid or enhance binding of the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure to a surface or substance.

A composition comprising, consisting essentially of or consisting of one or more labeled and/or tagged and/or bound amino acid sequences is described, said amino acid sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and up to five and up to ten additional amino acids added to one or both of the <NUM>'-prime and <NUM>'-prime ends of the sequence, wherein said additional amino acids may or may not be the naturally contiguous amino acids.

The amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be natural occurring and isolated from a natural source. Further, the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be non-natural, synthetic sequences, such as sequences produced by recombinant technology or sequences synthesized by protein synthesizing apparatuses. As such, the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be isolated or may be produced by recombinant technology, as is described and enabled in the literature and in commonly referred to manuals such as, e.g.,<NPL>; and, <NPL>, and as is well known to one of ordinary skill.

in the art. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure are made recombinantly in E.

The amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be tagged with an antibody with specificity for any of said amino acid sequences. Specificity for said amino acid sequence, i.e., antibody specificity, is the property of antibodies which enables them to react preferentially with some antigenic determinants and not with others. Specificity is dependent on chemical composition, physical forces and molecular structure at the binding site. Sensitivity is how strongly the antibody binds to the antigenic determinant. One of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine specificity and sensitivity of an antibody for a particular amino acid sequence using standard affinity assays, such as immunoblotting, Ouchterlony assays, titer assays, etc..

In another aspect, described herein is a method of quickly and accurately detecting Borrelia antisera in a sample from a subject suspected of having tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF). A subject suspected of having TBRF can be identified as having symptoms such as a high fever (e.g., <NUM>° F), headache, muscle and joint aches. Symptoms typically reoccur, producing a telltale pattern of fever lasting roughly <NUM> days, followed by approximately <NUM> days without fever, followed by another <NUM> days of fever. Without proper antibiotic treatment, this process can repeat several times. Since the symptoms of TBRF can mimic, for example, viral flu-like symptoms, accurate diagnosis of TBRF is important for providing an effective treatment for the subject. The present disclosure provides a quick and easy diagnostic test for detecting the presence of antibodies specific for the causative Borrelia species, thereby satisfying the need for such a test.

The method of the present disclosure for detecting Borrelia antisera in a sample from a subject suspected of having TBRF, may comprise, for example, providing a biological sample (e.g., blood, saliva) obtained from a subject suspected of having TBRF, mixing the biological sample with one or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure and detecting a positive reaction which indicates the presence of TBRF antisera in the sample. The antisera may be detected by, for example, immunoblotting, Elispot, ELISA, Western blotting or any other appropriate immunoassay known to one of ordinary skill in the art. These techniques are known to one of ordinary skill in the art and procedures can be found in common technical references. While similar, each of these techniques has its advantages and disadvantages. Other suitable techniques may be known to those of skill in the art and are incorporated herein.

Briefly, Western blotting can involve separating proteins by electrophoresis and then transferring to nitrocellulose or other solid media (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride or PVDF-membrane and nylon membrane), and is described in more detail below. Immunoblotting can also involve applying proteins to a solid media manually or by machine. Preferably, the proteins are applied in straight lines or spots and dried, binding them to the solid support medium, e.g., nitrocellulose. The proteins used in an immunoblot can be isolated from biological samples or produced by recombinant technology, as is well known by those of ordinary skill in the art. The bound proteins are then exposed to a sample or samples suspected of having antibodies specific for the target proteins.

With this procedure, a known antibody can be used to determine if a protein is present in a sample, such as when the proteins of lysed cells are separated by electrophoresis and transferred to the solid medium. Western blotting allows for the identification of proteins by size as well as by specificity for a specific antibody.

Similarly, with a procedure called immunoblotting, known proteins can be bound to the solid medium and samples, such as samples from subjects suspected of having an infection, can be tested for the presence of specific antibodies in the sample by contacting the bound protein with the sample. An antibody that binds the target protein is usually referred to as the primary antibody. A secondary antibody, specific for conserved regions of the primary antibody (for example, a rabbit-anti-human IgG antibody may be used to detect primary human antibodies) is used to detect any bound primary antibodies. The secondary antibody is usually labeled with a detectable moiety for visualization. Non-limiting examples of suitable labels include, for example, chromophores such as biotin, radioactive moieties and enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, etc. The use of these and other materials for the visualization of antibodies are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot (ELISPOT) method can detect human T cells that respond to TBRFspecific antigens in vitro. In an ELISPOT assay, the surfaces of PVDF membrane in a <NUM>-well microtiter plate are coated with capture antibody that binds, for example, anti-Interferon gamma (IFNγ) or other cytokine-specific antibody. During the cell incubation and stimulation step, the T cells isolated from patient whole blood are seeded into the wells of the plate along with aforementioned sequence(s), and form substantially a monolayer on the membrane surface of the well. Upon stimulation of any antigen-specific cells with one or more of the sequences of the present disclosure
they are activated and they release the IFNγ, which is captured directly on the membrane surface by the immobilized antibody. The IFNγ is thus "captured" in the area directly surrounding the secreting cell, before it has a chance to diffuse into the culture media, or to be degraded by proteases and bound by receptors on bystander cells. Subsequent detection steps visualize the immobilized IFNγ as an ImmunoSpot; essentially the secretory footprint of the activated cell.

For a specific example of an ELISPOT test, each well of the plate is coated with a purified cytokine-specific antibody specific for the test or cell being detected. Subject's (i.e., a subject suspected of having TBRF) T cells are isolated and cultured in each well and stimulated with recombinant antigens of one or more sequences of the present disclosure. TBRF-positive patient cells secrete cytokine in response to stimuli, which is captured by the antibody coated in the well and further detected by ELISA.

ELISA assays are also used to detect antigens. The ELISA assay can permit the quantification of a specific protein in a mix of proteins (for example, a lysate) or determine if a peptide is present in a sample. Likewise, ELISA assays can be used to determine if a specific antibody is present by using a specific antigen as a target. As used with the present disclosure, target amino acid sequence(s) are attached to a surface. Then, if present in the sample being tested, the reactive antibody can bind to the antigen. A secondary antibody linked to an enzyme is added, and, in the final step, a substance containing the enzyme's substrate is added. The subsequent reaction produces a detectable signal, most commonly a color change in the substrate.

In one aspect of the method of the present disclosure, a positive result is indicated when two or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure are mixed with the biological sample and when at least two amino acid sequences are detected. In another aspect of the disclosure a positive result is indicated when at least one of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure are mixed with the biological sample and when at least one amino acid sequence is detected.

In the method of the present disclosure any primary antibody bound to a peptide encoded by an amino acid sequence of the present disclosure may be detected with anti-human antibodies, such as IgG or IgM, used as the secondary antibody conjugated to a detectable moiety. As discussed above, the detectable moiety may be selected from the group consisting of chromophores, radioactivity moieties and enzymes or other detectable moiety known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In one aspect, the detectable moiety comprises alkaline phosphatase. In another aspect the detectable moiety comprises biotin.

A method is disclosed for detecting and distinguishing various species of Borrelia in a sample. The sample may be from a subject suspected of having TBRF. The method may comprise, for example, providing a sample, for example, a biological sample obtained from a subject suspected of having TBRF and mixing or contacting the biological sample with one or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure Amino acids may be labeled to confirm their presence if positive results are not obtained in the assay. The detection of a positive immunobinding reaction indicates the presence of Borrelia in the sample, wherein detection of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. hermsii, in the sample; detection of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ D NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. miyamotoi in the sample; detection of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>; SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. turcica in the sample, detection of SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the detection of B. turicatae in the sample and, detection of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the detection of B. coriaceae in the sample. The assay used may be any of the assays described elsewhere in this specification, or as are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In a preferred aspect of the disclosure a sample is considered positive for Borrelia if at least two amino acid sequences are detected. A sample is considered positive for a specific species of Borrelia if at least two amino acid sequences identified with a species are detected. In another aspect of the disclosure, a sample is considered positive for Borrelia if at least one amino acid sequence is detected. A sample is considered positive for a specific species of Borrelia if at least one amino acid sequence identified with a species is detected.

A method is disclosed for detecting and distinguishing various species of B. hermsii in a sample. The sample may be from a subject suspected of having TBRF. The method may comprise, for example, providing a sample, for example, a biological sample obtained from a subject suspected of having TBRF and mixing or contacting the biological sample with one or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure specific for B. The detection of a positive immunobinding reaction of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. hermsii, in the sample. The assay used may be any of the assays described elsewhere in this specification, or as are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A sample is considered positive for B. hermsii if at least one amino acid sequence is detected.

A method is disclosed for detecting and distinguishing various species of B. miyamotoi in a sample. The sample may be from a subject suspected of having TBRF. The method may comprise, for example, providing a sample, for example, a biological sample obtained from a subject suspected of having TBRF and mixing or contacting the biological sample with one or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure. The detection of, for example, a positive immunobinding reaction of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ D NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. miyamotoi in the sample. The assay used may be any of the assays described elsewhere in this specification, or as are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A sample is considered positive for B. miyamotoi if at least one amino acid sequence is detected.

A method is disclosed for detecting and distinguishing various species of B. turcica in a sample. The sample may be from a subject suspected of having TBRF. The method may comprise, for example, providing a sample, for example, a biological sample obtained from a subject suspected of having TBRF and mixing or contacting the biological sample with one or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure. The detection of, for example, a positive immunobinding reaction of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>; SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the presence of B. turcica in the sample. The assay used may be any of the assays described elsewhere in this specification, or as are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A sample is considered positive for B. turcica if at least one amino acid sequence is detected.

A method is disclosed for detecting and distinguishing various species of B. turicatae in a sample. The sample may be from a subject suspected of having TBRF. The method may comprise, for example, providing a sample, for example, a biological sample obtained from a subject suspected of having TBRF and mixing or contacting the biological sample with one or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure. The detection of, for example, a positive immunobinding reaction of SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the detection of B. turicatae in the sample. The assay used may be any of the assays described elsewhere in this specification, or as are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A sample is considered positive for B. turicatae if at least one amino acid sequence is detected.

A method is disclosed for detecting and distinguishing various species of B. coriaceae in a sample. The sample may be from a subject suspected of having TBRF. The method may comprise, for example, providing a sample, for example, a biological sample obtained from a subject suspected of having TBRF and mixing or contacting the biological sample with one or more of the labeled and/or bound amino acid sequences of the present disclosure. The detection of, for example, a positive immunobinding reaction of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and/or SEQ ID NO: <NUM> indicates the detection of B. coriaceae in the sample. The assay used may be any of the assays described elsewhere in this specification, or as are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A sample is considered positive for B. coriaceae if at least one amino acid sequence is detected.

The amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be used as vaccines in vaccination protocols. Vaccination protocols are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Briefly, vaccination is the administration of antigenic material (a vaccine) to stimulate an individual's immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate morbidity from infection.

Vaccines are typically administered with adjuvants. Adjuvants are compounds and mixtures of compounds designed or found to aid in stimulation of the immune system. For example an adjuvant is a pharmacological or immunological agent that modifies the effect of other agents. Adjuvants may be added to a vaccine to modify the immune response by boosting it such as to produce a greater quantity of antibodies and provide longer-lasting protection, thus minimizing the amount of injected foreign material. Adjuvants may also be used to enhance the efficacy of a vaccine by helping to modify the immune response to particular types of immune system cells. There are different classes of adjuvants that can skew immune responses in different directions. For example, adjuvants may selectively skew the immune response by preferentially activating T cells or B cells depending on the purpose of the vaccine. Adjuvants may also be used in the production of antibodies from immunized animals. For example, rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies may be produced by inoculating a rabbit with conserved portions of a human IgG antibody in combination with an adjuvant. The most commonly used adjuvants include aluminum hydroxide, paraffin oil and Freud's complete and incomplete adjuvant.

Although not fully understood adjuvants are believed to apply their effects through different mechanisms. Some adjuvants, such as alum, function as delivery systems by generating depots that trap antigens at the injection site, providing a slow release that continues to stimulate the immune system. Other adjuvants augment or stimulation the host immune response by providing a general boost to the immune system.

In this regard, a composition comprising or consisting essentially of one or more amino acid sequences is described, said amino acid sequences having <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% and/or <NUM>% homology selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and an adjuvant. The adjuvant may be any adjuvant known to one of ordinary skill in the art suitable for use in humans. Combinations two or more adjuvants may be used. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to identify sequences of the present disclosure that give acceptable or equivalent immunological responses without undue experimentation. By definition, with regard to the phrase "consisting essentially of," agents other than the recited sequences and adjuvant are not considered essential in the context of the present disclosure.

Isolated nucleic acid sequences, including polynucleotides and oligonucleotides, encoding the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure, and portions thereof, may be expressed in cultured cells to provide isolatable quantities of peptides displaying biological (e.g., immunological) properties of the antigenic peptide encoded by the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure. Because of redundancy of the genetic code, multiple nucleic acid sequences may be suitable for the production of the peptide sequences of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine one or more nucleic acid sequences for the production of the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure. The nucleic acid sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be labeled by any suitable label known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In this regard, nucleic acid sequences of suitable for the production of the amino acid sequences of the present disclosure may be substantially homologous to the naturally occurring sequences. Substantial homology of a nucleic acid sequence means either that (a) there is greater than about <NUM>%, typically greater than about <NUM>%, more typically greater than about <NUM>%, preferably greater than about <NUM>%, and more preferably greater than about <NUM>% homology, most preferably <NUM>% with the naturally occurring sequence or (b) the homologous nucleic acid sequence will hybridize to the compared sequence or its complementary strand under stringent conditions of the temperature and salt concentration. These stringent conditions will generally be a temperature greater than about <NUM>, usually greater than about <NUM> and more usually greater than about <NUM>, and a salt concentration generally less than about <NUM>, usually less than about <NUM>, and preferably less than about <NUM>. The combination of temperature and salt concentration is more important in defining stringency than either the temperature or the salt concentration alone. Other conditions which affect stringency include GC content of the compared sequence, extent of complementarity of the sequences, and length of the sequences involved in the hybridization, as well as the composition of buffer solution(s) used in the hybridization mixture. These and other factors affecting stringency are well described in the scientific and patent literature. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine suitable conditions for determining the homology of the nucleic acid sequences encoding the antigenic peptides of the present disclosure.

Further, homologous nucleic acid sequences may be determined based on the nature of a nucleotide substitution in the nucleic acid sequence. For example, conservative nucleotide substitutions will be tolerated better and, therefore, can be more numerous in a particular nucleic acid sequence than non-conservative nucleotide substitutions. One or ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine the suitable number and location of substitutions that may be allowed in a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence of the present disclosure without adversely affecting the species specificity of the encoded antigenic peptide, without undue experimentation.

The present invention will now be described in view of the following, non-limiting, exemplification.

Borreliosis is caused by two groups of Borrelia, B. burgdorferi group and the Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) Borrelia group. It was believed that B. burgdorferi group is the only group that causes Lyme-like symptoms. However it is now known that TBRF Borrelia can also cause Lyme-like symptoms. TBRF Borrelia can be transmitted by hard (Ixodes) and soft (Ornithodorus) ticks.

The TBRF Borrelia immunoblot of the present disclosure is designed to detect antibodies to TBRF Borrelia species [including, but not limited to Borrelia miyamotoi, B. hermsii, B. turicatae and B. coriaceae] specific antigens in human serum. For diagnostic purposes, immunoblot test results may be used in conjunction with clinical symptoms and other evidence available to the diagnosing physician.

The TBRF Borrelia ImmunoBlot Test is a qualitative immunoblot assay that detects antibodies directed against TBRF associated Borrelia species in sera of patients suspected of having TBRF Borrelia infection. Recombinant TBRF Borrelia antigens (protein sequences listed below) were applied as straight lines onto nitrocellulose strips, where they bind. The strips were then used in the TBRF Borrelia ImmunoBlot Test.

Species specific Borrelia amino acid sequences of the present disclosure:.

ImmunoBlotting: Immunoblotting is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. With regard to the present invention, to perform the TBRF Borrelia ImmunoBlot test, patient serum was incubated with TBRF Borrelia ImmunoBlot strips, produced as described above, in each trough of an incubation tray. If specific antibodies to TBRF Borrelia antigens were present in a sample, they were bound to the corresponding antigen bands. After washing away unbound antibodies, the bound TBRF Borrelia specific antibodies were detected with alkaline phosphatase (AP) conjugated goat or rabbit anti-human IgG or IgM antibody. After removing the unbound conjugated antibody, the strips were incubated with BCIP/NBT, an AP chromogenic substrate. A dark purple colored precipitate developed on the antigen-antibody complexes. Bands were visualized and scored for intensity relative to the positive, negative and calibrator (calibration) controls.

Method: TBRF ImmunoBlot strips were tested with rabbit anti-TBRF Borrelia serum samples and Borrelia burgdorferi serum samples. Rabbit antibodies to the following Borrelia species were tested: B. hermsii, TBRF Borrelia species, B. coriaceae, B. burgdorferi B31, B. burgdorferi <NUM>, B. californiensis, B. afzalii, B. garinii, B. spielmanii and B. valensiana.

Result Summary: As shown in <FIG>, in the columns numbered <NUM>-<NUM> under the heading "Relapsing Fever Borrelia species," antibodies to B. hermsii, TBRF Borrelia sp. coriaceae were detected. In the columns numbered <NUM>-<NUM> under the heading "Lyme Disease Borrelia species," only antibodies to <NUM> kDa were detected with the rabbit anti-B. burgdorferi specific serum samples. The numbers refer to the antibodies denoted in the Figure key.

Conclusion: Based on the data presented above, the TBRF ImmunoBlot is very specific for the detection of TBRF Borrelia specific antibodies.

A total of <NUM> patient samples were tested as per TBRF Borrelia ImmunoBlot IgM and IgG protocols to determine clinical sensitivity and specificity. The following patient samples (Table <NUM>) were tested as per TBRF Borrelia Immunoblot IgM and IgG test protocols. The ImmunoBlots were read by in-house criteria. The ImmunoBlot (IgM or IgG) was considered positive if <NUM> of the following bands were present: <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-75kDa and GlpQ. If only one of the following bands is present, the ImmunoBlot was considered boarder-line positive: <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-75kDa and GlpQ. Results are summarized below in Tables 2a, 2b and 2c.

To see how a patient's response immunologically to infection two samples were collected from each of <NUM> patients (including patients with a history of a tick bite and TBRF PCR positives). Results are presented below in Table 2c.

Sensitivity: Based on the data presented above for patients with Lyme-like symptoms, of the <NUM> patients (total <NUM> samples) with Lyme-like symptoms, <NUM> patients had antibodies to B. burgdorferi and TBRF Borrelia; <NUM> patients had antibodies to TBRF Borrelia. Four patients with other tick-borne diseases were negative by TBRF ImmunoBlot. Two sets of serum samples were collected from <NUM> patients, to see patient's immune response to infection. We collected two samples at different time points from <NUM> patients (including patients with a history of a tick bite and/or TBRF PCR positive samples). The second sample was collected <NUM> weeks to <NUM> years after the first sample (See Table 2b and Table 2c for detailed results). As shown above, <NUM> patients (<NUM> IgM (+), <NUM> IgG (+) and <NUM> with IgM and IgG) were positive initially. When the second sample was tested all patients were positive, <NUM> IgM (+), <NUM> IgG(+) and <NUM> IgM and IgG (+).

Specificity: Based on the data presented below in Table <NUM>, the specificity of the TBRF Borrelia ImmunoBlot was <NUM>% for IgM and <NUM>% for IgG.

Conclusion: The specificity of TBRF ImmunoBlot was <NUM>% for IgM and <NUM>% for IgG. With <NUM> patients (Set <NUM>), we demonstrated that the immune response varied between individuals.

Claim 1:
A composition comprising labeled and/or tagged and/or bound amino acid sequences, wherein the labeled and/or tagged and/or bound amino acid sequences consist of SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM>, SEQ ID NO: <NUM> and SEQ ID NO: <NUM>.