Genetically modified babesia parasites expressing protective tick antigens and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for stable transfection of Babesia parasites, and for vaccines conferring immunity against parasitic arthropods.

1 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A method for generating an immune response in a mammal against a heterologous protein, the method comprising administering to said mammal a genetically modified  Babesia  spp. that produces said heterologous protein, wherein said genetically modified  Babesia  spp. comprises a stably transfected polynucleotide, wherein said stably transfected polynucleotide comprises a promoter operably linked to a heterologous nucleic acid, wherein said heterologous nucleic acid encodes said heterologous protein, wherein said promoter is transcriptionally active in said  Babesia  spp., and wherein said mammal generates an immune response to said heterologous protein produced by said genetically modified  Babesia  spp. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said genetically modified  Babesia  spp. are  Babesia  spp. merozoiotes or  Babesia  spp. infected red blood cells. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said heterologous protein is a tick protein. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said tick is  Boophilus  spp. or  Ixodes  spp. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said stably transfected polynucleotide further comprises a targeting sequence. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein said targeting sequence is part of a gene that is not needed by said  Babesia  spp. for growth in-vitro. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said stably transfected polynucleotide further comprises a selectable marker. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said stably transfected polynucleotide further comprises a targeting sequence and a selectable marker.