Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the encapsulation of antigens in PLGA microspheres for use as vaccines. Such microspheres can also contain adjuvants. Mixtures of microspheres are provided which release antigen at desired intervals to provide boosts with antigen.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of bacterial transglycosylase reactions. The invention is directed to methods for assaying for transglycosylase activity, methods of identifying inhibitors of transglycosylase activity, inhibitors identified by such methods, and methods of identifying the stage of inhibition at which such inhibitors act.

Abstract: The CAMP factor gene of Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis) is described, as well as the recombinant production of CAMP factor therefrom. CAMP factors can be used in vaccine compositions for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine comprising a bacterium attenuated by a non-reverting mutation in a gene encoding a protein which promotes folding of extracytoplasmic proteins. Such mutations were initially identified as being useful in vaccines from a bank of randomly inserted, transposon mutants in which attenuation was determined as a reduction in virulence of the organism in the mouse model of infection. Site directed mutation of the gene results in a strain which shows at least 4 logs of attenuation when delivered both orally and intravenously. Animals vaccinated with such a strain are protected against subsequent challenge with the parent wild type strain. Finally, heterologous antigens such as the non-toxic and protective, binding domain from tetanus toxin, fragment C, can be delivered via the mucosal immune system using such strains of bacteria. This results in the induction of a fully protective immune response to subsequent challenge with native tetanus toxin.

Abstract: A separation procedure for separating a selected desired or undesired population from a biological sample utilizing relatively heavy, dense particles and gravity sedimentation. The particles have one or more reactants bound thereto which are specific to and will bind with the selected population. The particles preferably are mixed with the sample by repeatedly causing the particles to settle through a substantial portion of the sample to bind to the selected population. The particles with the bound selected population then are allowed to preferentially settle in the sample and the supernatant including an enriched population is separated from the particles with the selected population bound thereto. The enriched populations in the biological sample supernatant can be further enriched by multiple removal steps.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating LBP-mediated LPS-induced myeloid cell activation comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-LBP monoclonal antibody molecule. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-LBP antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: The use of an assay for adenylate kinase in an in vitro test for the effect of external conditions on the growth characteristics of bacterial cells. Such tests in particular include tests for the sensivity of a bacteria to an antibiotic or a biostatic agent, and tests to assess the growth stage and health of the bacteria. Methods of carrying out these tests and kits for effecting them are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying a modulator of quorum sensing signaling in bacteria, and for identifying a quorum sensing controlled gene in bacteria. In addition, the invention provides quorum sensing controlled genetic loci in Pseudomas aeruginosa. Novel indicator strains and vectors for engineering the strains for use in the method of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of a series of virulence genes in E. coli K1, the products of which may be implicated in the pathogenicity of the organisms. The identification of the genes allows them, or their expressed products, to be used in a number of ways to treat infection.

Abstract: A system for the detection of bacteria based on bacteria-antibody complexes. Bacteria attached to antibody are detected with resonance Raman spectroscopy. The bacteria are detected directly in a great numerical excess, e.g. 100 to 10,000 of antibody molecules. A sample to be tested is placed in a medium, the medium containing antibodies attached to a surface for binding to a specific bacteria to form an antigen to antibody complex. The medium is contacted with a beam of light energy. The bacteria, as a lower resonance enhanced Raman backscattered energy, is analyzed for the presence or absence of the bacteria.

Abstract: This invention is directed to mutant SPE-C toxins or fragments thereof, vaccine and pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the vaccine and pharmaceutical compositions. The preferred SPE-C toxin has at least one amino acid change and is substantially non-lethal compared with the wild type SPE-C toxin. The mutant SPE-C toxins can form vaccine compositions useful to protect animals against the biological activities of wild type SPE-C toxin.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of TL-&ggr;, antibodies to TL-&ggr;, methods of screening for TL-&ggr; modulators using biologically active TL-&ggr;, and kits for screening for TL-&ggr; modulators.

Abstract: A food product and method for treating and preventing diarrhea in a subject animal suffering from or susceptible to diarrhea. The method comprises administering an egg product to the subject animal wherein the egg product is obtained from a hyperimmunized avian.

Abstract: A competitive assay to determine the presence and concentration of an intracellular analyte (e.g., cAMP) in a sample is provided. All of the steps of the assay can be performed on the same assay plate, thereby eliminating the need to transfer the cells from a tissue culture plate on which the cells are grown, induced and lysed to a separate assay plate. The assay procedure includes combining, in a reaction chamber provided with a capture antibody, an antibody for the analyte, the sample to be assayed, and a conjugate of the analyte and an enzyme such as alkaline phosphatase. The mixture is incubated and washed and an enzyme labile substrate (e.g., a chemiluminescent, fluorescent or calorimetric substrate) is added. The assay can also be performed with a tagged analyte (e.g., an analyte having a radioactive or fluorescent tag) instead of an enzyme conjugate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for screening for the presence of a clinically relevant amount of bacteria in donor blood or a blood product from a donor mammal, particularly blood or a blood product that will be transferred from the donor mammal to a recipient mammal. The method comprises contacting a sample of the donor blood or a blood product with a set of binding agents that comprises binding agents that specifically bind to Gram-negative bacterial antigen and/or binding agents that specifically bind to Gram-positive bacterial antigen, and determining binding of the set of binding agents to the sample, wherein binding indicates the presence of a clinically relevant amount of Gram-positive bacteria and/or Gram-negative bacteria in the donor blood or blood product and no binding indicates the absence of a clinically relevant amount of Gram-positive bacteria and/or Gram-negative bacteria in the donor blood or blood product.

Abstract: Isolated peptide sequences and proteins containing these sequences are provided which are useful in the prevention and treatment of infection caused by Gram-positive bacteria. The peptide sequences have been shown to be highly conserved motifs in the surface proteins of Gram-positive bacteria, and these consensus sequences include amino acid sequences such as LPXTG (SEQ ID NO:13), ALKTGKIDIIISGMTSTPERKK (SEQ ID NO:14), VEGAWEKPVAEAYLKQN (SEQ ID NO:15), and EYAGVDIDLAKKIAK (SEQ ID NO:16). By virtue of the highly conserved regions, the sequences and the proteins including these sequences can be utilized to generate antibodies which can recognize these highly conserved motifs and the proteins containing them and thus be useful in the treatment or prevention of a wide range of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the biological or pharmacological activity of a test material like a plant or herbal material, an extract of a plant or herbal material, a natural or synthetic compound or some combination thereof, can be quantified by observing the pattern of structural changes induced in a eukaryotic cell's proteins. These structural changes may be evidenced by protein phosphorylation, by protein-protein interactions and the like. The amount and nature of protein phosphorylation is qualitatively and quantitatively related to the in vitro concentration of biologically/pharmacologically active components to which the mammalian cells are exposed. Additionally, formation or loss of protein-protein complexes may be determined in whole cell homogenates through the use of non-denaturing electrophoresis and staining for proteins or protein phosphorylation.

Abstract: An immunological test kit suitable for the rapid detection of ciguatoxin and related low molecular weight lipid polyether marine toxins in fish tissues in the field, home or laboratory. The test procedure utilizes a synthetic membrane laminated onto one end of a solid plastic stick, which is immersed into alcohol with a piece of fish tissue. The membrane is then removed and dried thoroughly, then placed in the suspension of mixed colored beads coated with anti-ciguatoxin. The membrane is then rinsed in water and the intensity of the color compared with a standard range of colors formed (0-3+). The color intensity is proportional to the concentration of toxin in the piece of tissue. The kit includes the synthetic membrane on a plastic stick, a suspension of mixed colored beads coated with anti-ciguatoxin antibody, testing instruments, and a supply of solvent.