Methods of Treating and Preventing Infections

Abstract

The invention relates to composite antigens comprising a peptide with contiguous amino acid sequence derived from a plurality of antigenic epitopes of one or more pathogens that induces an immune response in a mammal that is protective against infection by the one or more pathogens. In addition, the invention relates to vaccines comprising composite antigens and to method for treating and preventing an infection.

1 . A method of treating or preventing an infection of an influenza virus comprising:
 providing an immunogenic composition that contains a peptide which comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-116; and a T-cell stimulating epitope; and   administering the immunogenic composition to a patient to generate an immunological response to the infection.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the influenza virus comprises one or more of H1N1, H1N7, H2N2, H3N1, H3N2, H3N8, H5N1, H5N2, H5N3, H5N8, H5N9, H7N1, H7N2, H7N3, H7N4, H7N7 or H9N2. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises the sequence of one or more of SEQ ID NO 1, SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 6, SEQ ID NO 7, SEQ ID NO 8, SEQ ID NO 9, SEQ ID NO 12, SEQ ID NO 13, SEQ ID NO 14, SEQ ID NO 15, SEQ ID NO 16, SEQ ID NO 17, SEQ ID NO 18, SEQ ID NO 19, SEQ ID NO 20, SEQ ID NO 47, SEQ ID NO 52, SEQ ID NO 53, and SEQ ID NO 54. 
     
     
         4 . An immunogenic composition that contains a peptide which comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to any one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 1-116; and a T-cell stimulating epitope. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , which further contains an adjuvant. 
     
     
         6 .- 45 . (canceled)