Ringworm Vaccine

Abstract

A ringworm vaccine is disclosed comprising antigen isolated from at least one dermatophyte and a suitable carrier. The “antigen” can include a single antigen from a dermatophyte or a plurality of antigens as long as at least one antigen is included which will produce a sufficient immune response to confer resistance to ringworm infection upon the recipient of the vaccine. The antigen can also be isolated from more than one dermatophyte. If a preparation from more than one dermatophyte is made the antigen can include antigens which are common to all species of dermatophytes employed and/or antigens which are only specific to certain species. A method of producing such a ringworm vaccine is also disclosed. The method comprises making an antigen preparation comprising the dermatophyte antigen described above and combining the antigen preparation with a suitable carrier. Methods of treating a patient are also disclosed employing the vaccine of the present invention and vaccines produced according to the method of the present invention. Methods are also disclosed for treating a pregnant with such vaccines such that the progeny of the pregnancy exhibit resistance to ringworm infection at birth.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A ringworm vaccine comprising an effective amount of a killed  Microsporum  culture.  
   
   
       8 . The vaccine in  claim 7 , wherein the  Microsporum  is selected from the group consisting of  Microsporum canis  and  Microsporum gypseum.    
   
   
       9 . The vaccine in  claim 7 , wherein the vaccine further comprises an effective amount of a killed  Trichophyton  culture.  
   
   
       10 . The vaccine of  claim 9 , wherein  Trichophyton  culture is selected from the group consisting of  Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum,  and  Trichophyton equinum.    
   
   
       11 . The vaccine of  claim 7 , wherein the vaccine comprises at least two killed  Trichophyton  cultures.  
   
   
       12 . A ringworm vaccine comprising an effective amount of a killed  Trichophyton  culture.  
   
   
       13 . The vaccine in  claim 12 , wherein the  Trichophyton  is selected from the group consisting of  Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum,  and  Trichophyton equinum.    
   
   
       14 . The vaccine in  claim 13 , wherein the vaccine further comprises an effective amount of a killed  Microsporum  culture.  
   
   
       15 . The vaccine of  claim 14 , wherein the  Microsporum  is selected from the group consisting of  Microsporum canis  and  Microsporum gypseum.    
   
   
       16 . The vaccine of  claim 12 , wherein the vaccine comprises at least two killed  Trichophyton  cultures.  
   
   
       17 . A ringworm vaccine comprising an effective amount of a killed  Microsporum  culture and an effective amount of a killed  Trichophyton  culture.  
   
   
       18 . The vaccine of  claim 17 , wherein the  Microsporum  is selected from the group consisting of  Microsporum  canis and  Microsporum gypseum.    
   
   
       19 . The vaccine in  claim 17 , wherein the  Trichophyton  is selected from the group consisting of  Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum,  and  Trichophyton equinum.