Abstract: A C-reactive protein concentration level test and kit for on-site determination of C-reactive protein levels in biological samples is disclosed.

Abstract: Novel antiparasitic and antifungal compositions are disclosed. The antiparasitic and antifungal compositions are useful for human and veterinary therapy for the treatment and/or prevention of parasitic infection. Also disclosed are novel mechanisms of identifying antifungal and antiparasitic compositions by their biochemical action on lipid synthesis and/or metabolism and/or excretion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically attenuated superantigen toxin vaccines altered such that superantigen attributes are absent, however the superantigen is effectively recognized and an appropriate immune response is produced. The attenuated superantigen toxins are shown to protect animals against challenge with wild type toxin. Methods of producing and using the altered superantigen toxins are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passive protective agent against P. vivax. The passive protective agent is an antibody that, when a concentration of the antibody is injected intravenously, protects a subject to the limits of that concentration of antibody from developing malaria when the subject is subsequently challenged with live, infectious P. vivax sporozoites. The invention includes methods of treatment and pharmaceutical formulations of the agent.

Abstract: A method of making a vaccine for anthracis that inolves a bacterial expression system and production and use of protective antigen (PA) against Bacillus anthracis. The PA immunogen is useful in a vaccine against human anthrax. The PA can be produced by an asporogenic organism which produces the desired antigen, which is then harvested from the supernatant.

Abstract: Some people suffer from pains in the abdomen that are due to excessive H2 gas produced in the intestine. In this invention, microbes that metabolize H2 are introduced into the intestine in order to accelerate the removal of the H2. The microbes are selected from species that are native to the large intestine of humans or other mammals, and are non-toxic. The end products are either non-gaseous, or significantly smaller volumes of gas than the original H2. The delivery of the microbes is accomplished by any one of several means, with packaging of the microbes in enteric coatings for oral ingestion as a preferred means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bacterial expression system for production of protective antigen (PA) against bacillus anthracis. Recombinant asporogenic B. anthracits that are derived from &Dgr;Sterne-1(pPA102) and show inability to bind the dye when grown on Congo Red Agar can be screened and asporogenic strains isolated using methods of the invention. organisms of the invention lacking spore-forming function may be killed by heat shock at temperatures as low as 60° C. for 60 minutes. Hence, contamination of the environment with viable spore-forming organisms is easily avoided and decontamination is easily accomplished.

Abstract: In this application is described the expression cloning and functional characterization of the CD36-binding domain of Sequestrin. Sequestrin is a surface protein of 215-250 kD size which does not vary in size between parasite strains. The Sequestrin gene appears to be single-copy-number within the genome; noncytoadherent laboratory parasite strains carry the sequestrin gene but fail to express the protein. Sequestrin binds with high affinity to CD36. Sequestrin protein and sequence can be used as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tool.

Abstract: A live attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) is described which comprises a viral gene rearrangement. This rearranged attenuated virus is useful as vaccine for protection against infection with VEE. Methods of preparing the virus and methods of using the virus are described.

Abstract: Methods for developing vaccines to protect from neurotoxins of C. botulinum have been developed. Truncated BoNT/A proteins of about 15-30 kDa in size produced immune responses that provided protection from neuronal damage by botulinum neurotoxins.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for treating malaria parasites in vitro and in vivo by administering indolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-6,12-dione compounds of Formula I.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions containing as active agents paromomycin in combination with gentamicin. When given in combination, the compositions appear much more effective than when given alone. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention were found to be effective against several species of Leishmania that were not effectively inhibited by the prior art compositions.

Abstract: A novel composition comprising Invaplex from gram-negative bacteria is described and is effective as a vaccine against gram-negative bacterial infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections, including particularly infections caused by bacteria, Mycobacteria and fungi. A preferred group of compositions of the invention contain as active agents compounds containing pyridyl, quinolyl or benzoquinolyl ring systems substituted on the nitrogen-containing ring at the carbon opposite the nitrogen by a carbon bound to an oxygen which is also bound to a nitrogen through a saturated carbon or carbon chain, or, in the case of the pyridyl ring system, the substituent at the 4 position of the pyridyl ring may be an alkyl which may be substituted with halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino or alkylamino.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the general formula: wherein A is a aromatic hydrocarbon ring system and R1 is a carbon bound directly to an oxygen and is also bound to a nitrogen through a saturated carbon and wherein at least one of R2, R3 and R4 is an electron-rich substituent. The active agents are useful for treating patients suffering from infections including gram positive organisms, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, anthracis, gram negative bacteria such as neisseria species, yeasts and mycobacterium. They are effective against strains which have shown resistance to other antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: A combined nasopharyngeal airway and pulse oximeter sensor capable of monitoring the posterior pharynx, posterior soft palate or nasal mucosa is disclosed. The nasopharyngeal airway includes a thickened wall section over approximately one-third of its circumference. Pulse oximeter sensor elements may be embedded in the airway. The pulse oximeter sensor elements may include a light source, which preferably emits light at wavelengths around 660 nm (red) and around 940 nm (near infrared), and a light detector. The pulse oximeter sensor elements may be connected to a pulse oximeter monitor (spectrophotometer) or other external device for analysis.

Abstract: cDNAs coding for an infectious Western Equine Encephalitis virus (WEE) and infectious Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus variant IE (VEE IE) are disclosed in addition to cDNA coding for the structural proteins of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus variant IIIA (VEE IIIA). Novel attenuating mutations of WEE and VEE IE and their uses are described. Also disclosed are attenuated chimearic alphaviruses and their uses.

Abstract: In this application is described a method for overcoming alphavirus vaccine interference in alphavirus-immune subjects by administration of a second alphavirus vaccine which is altered such that it is not accessible to interfering antibodies. Examples of such alterations are described as well as evidence showing that alphavirus interference likely results from the binding of interfering antibodies to viral proteins expressed on infected cells thereby causing lysis of infected cells.

Abstract: A method for taking reflectance oximeter readings within the nasal cavity and oral cavity and down through the posterior pharynx. The method utilizes a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor that preferably is resistant to bodily fluids to contact one of these capillary beds for the taking of readings and then forwarding of these readings to an oximeter for display. The method includes inserting a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor into a cavity within a subject's skull and contacting a capillary bed disposed in the cavity with the reflectance pulse oximeter sensor.

Abstract: Particle mediated immunization of tick-borne flavivirus genes confers homologous and heterologous protection against tick borne encephalitis.