| abstract |
There is provided a molecule comprising a chain of seven or more contiguous units of 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-α-pyranose each pair of units joined by a C 1 -C 2 or a C 1 -C 3 link, the chain having a terminal end and a reducing end, wherein the pyranose ring in the unit of the chain most distal from the reducing end is linked to a cap structure. The cap structure is not a 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-α-pyranose. There are also provided vaccine compositions comprising the molecule and methods of vaccinating an animal against infection by a Brucella organism, including methods of distinguishing between a vaccinated and an infected animal. There are further provided novel methods of detecting the presence in a sample of an anti- Brucella antibody. |