Neospora caninum isolate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel Neospora caninum isolate from Nowra and extracts thereof. The strain is useful in the development of diagnostic assays for the detection of parasites in animals. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions, using live or killed organisms or extracts thereof, for the treatment and prevention of parasitic infections in animals.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . An antibody raised against a parasitic protozoan isolate having the characteristics of the isolate deposited as AGAL Accession No. NM01/22338.  
     
     
         18 . The antibody as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         19 . The vaccine composition comprising an extract of a parasitic protozoan isolate having the characteristics of the isolate deposited as AGAL Accession No. NM01/22338.  
     
     
         20 . The vaccine composition as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the extract is selected from the group consisting of cell lysates, antigenic polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding antigenic polypeptides.  
     
     
         21 . A method for the treatment or prevention of infection or disease in an animal, the method comprising administering to the animal an antibody as claimed in  claim 17 .  
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the infection or disease is caused by the presence of  Neospora  in the animal.  
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the animal is a human or livestock animal.  
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in claim  25 , wherein the livestock animal is a cow.