Abstract: There is provided an epsilon toxin epitope polypeptide comprising a sequence of at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:3, the sequence comprising a mutation of at least one tyrosine residue compared to the equivalent sequence in SEQ ID NO:3, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:5 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:5. The polypeptide is useful in a method of vaccinating a subject against developing a disease caused by clostridium perfringens and/or caused by (or associated with the presence of) active epsilon toxin.

Abstract: Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

Abstract: A method of detecting and/or specifically identifying bacteria producing OXA-048-type carbapenemase in a biological sample, includes the steps of: (a) placing the biological sample likely to contain the bacteria in contact with a reaction medium including at least one chromogenic substrate to detect an enzymatic activity, and temocillin at a concentration equal to or greater than 150 mg/L, preferably between 200 and 500 mg/L, (b) incubating the sample in the medium to allow the bacteria to grow, and (c) detecting the strains corresponding to the OXA-48 carbapenemase producing bacteria. A culture medium as implemented in step (a) is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial peptides, isolated and purified from extracts of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) gills. Such peptides may be produced by chemical synthesis or by expression in heterologous systems, such as bacteria and yeasts, by conventional molecular biology techniques. These peptides show antimicrobial activity against various organisms, including Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, fungi and viruses. The invention also includes compositions for controlling pathogens comprising these antimicrobial peptides. The use of such peptides in vaccine preparations, as molecular adjuvants, is also part of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided where a transfected cell that produces a hybrid protein with a reporter-containing portion and a botulinum toxin cleavage site is contacted with a botulinum toxin at elevated temperatures and/or in media having a reduced sodium concentration. Kits that include such media and a botulinum toxin are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides eTEC linked glycoconjugates comprising a saccharide covalently conjugated to a carrier protein through a (2-((2-oxoethyl)thio)ethyl)carbamate (eTEC) spacer, immunogenic compositions comprising such glycoconjugates, and methods for the preparation and use of such glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: A liquid D-T-Pa component is used to reconstitute a lyophilised meningococcal component, thereby producing a combined vaccine.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polypeptides each containing one or more receptor-binding sites of toxin A (tcdA) of Clostridium difficile (Cd), nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: An isolated protein or peptide selected from the group consisting of Bordetella colonization factor A (BcfA) protein and antigenic fragments thereof is described, along with an isolated nucleic acid encoding the same, antibodies that bind to the same, methods of producing an immune response in a mammalian subject in need thereof by administering the proteins, peptides or antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: Methods and systems for chromatographically purifying a botulinum neurotoxin are provided. These methods and systems allow for efficient purification of a non-complexed form of the botulinum neurotoxin in high purity and yield that can be used as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising recombinant bacteria. Further, the disclosure elaborates upon methods of utilizing the taught therapeutic compositions to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The present teachings also relate to the disclosed recombinant bacteria and methods of producing the recombinant bacteria utilized in the compositions and methods. Further taught herein are dietary supplements and food additive compositions comprising the taught recombinant bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of the enolase protein from Staphylococcus aureus as well as nucleic acid and nucleic acid sequence homologs encoding the peptides. The present invention also relates to a composition, particularly a S. aureus vaccine, comprising one or more of the enolase peptides described herein or a fragment, derivative or variant thereof capable of generating an immune response that induces a protective antibody response or opsonophagocytic activity of human neutrophils for S. aureus. The present invention also encompasses methods of treating and/or reducing the likelihood of a Staphylococcus infection by administering a composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for releasing capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells, comprising the step of treating the cells with acid. The invention further provides a process for purifying capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells comprising this method. Other processing steps may be included in the process, such as enzymatic treatment, e.g. to remove nucleic acid, protein and/or peptidoglycan contaminants; diafiltration, e.g. to remove low molecular weight contaminants; anion exchange chromatography, e.g. to remove residual protein; and concentration.

Abstract: The invention provides a one-step process for preparing a cell-binding agent cytotoxic agent conjugate comprising contacting a cell-binding agent with a cytotoxic agent to form a first mixture comprising the cell-binding agent and the cytotoxic agent and contacting the first mixture comprising the cell-binding agent and the cytotoxic agent with a bifunctional crosslinking reagent, which provides a linker, in a solution having a pH of about 4 to about 9 to provide a second mixture comprising the cell-binding agent cytotoxic agent conjugate, wherein the cell-binding agent is chemically coupled through the linker to the cytotoxic agent, free cytotoxic agent, and reaction by-products. The second mixture is then optionally subjected to purification to provide a purified cell-binding agent cytotoxic agent conjugate.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition including dead cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus LB strain as an active ingredient for treating or preventing an allergic disease, and may be used to treat and prevent IgE-mediated allergic diseases and non-IgE-mediated allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria, and pollinosis by reducing the total content of IgE in the blood.

Abstract: Several new peptides have been developed that show effectiveness as vaccines against candidiasis and other fungal diseases. A new conjugate vaccine of a ?-mannotriose linked to a fungal peptide linked to tetanus toxin has been shown to be effective as a vaccine with or without use of an adjuvant. In addition, a monoclonal antibody has been identified that offers protection from a Candida infection.

Abstract: Described herein is the generation of a plasmid construct for expression of a Yersinia pestis F1-V fusion protein. In the disclosed plasmid, the F1-V fusion protein coding sequence is operably linked to the E. coli htrA promoter, and is fused in-frame to the E. coli HlyA secretion signal sequence. Also described is Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strain Ty21a containing the F1-V fusion protein expression plasmid, such as for use as an oral vaccine against plague.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea and diarrheal related diseases and disorders in both animals and humans. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the treatment of said diarrhea and diarrheal related diseases and disorders with a vaccine. In still further embodiments, the invention relates to the treatment of constipation using the disclosed methods and compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae which contains not more than 10% by weight of protein, and preferably less which has been purified with 0.1N Na OH prior to deproteinizing. Also disclosed are polyvalent antibodies raised against Streptococcus pneumoniae which have been affinity purified by passing them over a chromatographic affinity matrix to which is coupled the purified and at least partially deproteinized antigen to render them antigen-specific.