Abstract: High molecular weight surfaces proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae which exhibit immunogenic properties and genes encoding the same are described. Specifically, genes coding for two immunodominant high molecular weight proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, have been cloned, expressed and sequenced, while genes coding for high molecular proteins HMW3 and HMW4 have been cloned, expressed and partially sequenced.

Abstract: The invention generally features a rapid, quantitative method of diagnosing multi-drug resistance in a patient. The method involves (a) exposing cells of a biological specimen to a calcein compound, the calcein compound becoming fluorescent in the cell; and (b) measuring calcein compound accumulating in the specimen cells relative to control cells, reduced calcein accumulation in specimen cells relative to control cells indicating the presence of multi-drug resistance in the biological specimen. The method is useful for diagnosing multi-drug resistance in patients undergoing drug therapy, e.g., chemotherapeutic or antibiotic therapy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of culturing rickettsiae in Ixodes scapularis cell lines. The methods of the invention provide for culture of microorganisms such as Anaplasma marginale, Ehrlichia canis, and Rickettsia rickettsii. A method of the invention involves incubating a rickettsia with an Ixodes scapularis tick cell culture in a culture medium under reduced oxygen and increased CO.sub.2 at a sufficient temperature until growth of the rickettsia is detected. The culture medium comprises a medium suitable for the growth of invertebrate cells supplemented with an organic buffer. The cell culture method can be used in large scale production of rickettsia containing products useful in diagnostic assays and vaccine preparations.

Abstract: High molecular weight surface proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae which exhibit immunogenic properties and genes encoding the same are described. Specifically, genes coding for two immunodominant high molecular weight proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, have been cloned, expressed and sequenced, while genes coding for high molecular proteins HMW3 and HMW4 have been cloned, expressed and partially sequenced.

Abstract: The invention provides immunogenic oligosaccharide compositions and methods of making and using them. In particular, the compositions comprise oligosaccharides covalently coupled to carrier protein, wherein the resultant conjugate has been shown to contain specific immunogenic epitopes and elicits a protectively immunogenic response.

Abstract: Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein having a molecular weight of 20 779 Da, and hybrid proteins containing at least portions of its sequence. These proteins may in particular be used in vaccines or for the detection of specific tuberculosis antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oligonucleotide (aarC) which encodes a novel bacterial polypeptide (AarC) that is essential for the viability of bacteria. The invention provides recombinant expression vectors comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding AarC, as well as host cells containing these expression vectors. Further provided herein are methods for screening bacteria which contain aarC or variants or homologs thereof. Also provided are methods for using the aarC oligonucleotide sequence to screen antimicrobials which target AarC activity in gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of aarC in diagnostic assays which utilize the aarC oligonucleotide to hybridize with nucleic acid sequences encoding AarC as well as with AarC mRNA. The invention further describes monoclonal and polyclonal AarC antibodies and their use in diagnostic assays for the detection of bacteria which express AarC.

Abstract: A novel surface exposed protein of H. influenzae or related Haemophilus species is described. The protein named protein D is an Ig receptor for human IgD and has an apparent molecular weight of 42,000. Protein D can be detected in all of 116 encapsulated and non-encapsulated isolates of H. influenzae studied. The protein from all strains shows in addition to the same apparent molecular weight immunogenic similarities since protein D from all strains interacts with three different mouse monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal human IgD. A method for purification of protein D is described. Cloning of the protein D gene from H. influenzae in E. coli is described as well as the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence corresponding to a molecular weight of 41,821 daltons including a putative signal sequence of 18 amino acids containing a consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2), Leu-Ala-Gly-Lys for bacterial lipoproteins.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising an oligosaccharide of S. pneumoniae serotype 8 useful for stimulating an immune response to an antigen, methods of providing protective immunization against a bacterial pathogen using these compositions, methods of augmenting an immunogenic response to an antigen by administering these S. pneumoniae serotype 8 oligosaccharide compositions along with the antigen, and methods of making the immunostimulatory compositions described above.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are isolated nucleic acids comprising a unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein. The invention also provides purified polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa protein from and the nucleic acids comprising a unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein. Also provided are antibodies which selectively binds the polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa protein and the nucleic acids comprising a unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein. Also provided are vaccines comprising immunogenic polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa protein and the nucleic acids comprising a unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide capable of reacting specifically with an anti-Toxoplasma gondii P30 protein antibody, and comprising a peptide sequence, in which any succession of 6 contiguous amino acids exhibits at most 67% homology with the peptide sequence of said P30 protein, identified by SEQ ID No.1, or comprising a sequence derived from said peptide sequence, and the applications of this polypeptide especially for detecting a Toxoplasma gondii infection, in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating individuals exhibiting neutropenia or at risk of neutropenia. The method comprises the step of administering to an individual exhibiting neutropenia or at risk of neutropenia, an effective amount of a colony modulating factor derived from bacteria. The colony factor modulator exhibits an immunomodulating effect in humans and promotes a stabilization or increase in neutrophil count.

Abstract: New proteins and subunit antigens from P. haemolytica for use in stimulating immunity against respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, including shipping fever pneumonia, are disclosed. The subunit antigens include immunogenic amino acid sequences of P. haemolytica fimbrial protein, P. haemolytica plasmin receptor protein, and P. haemolytica 50K outer membrane protein and P. haemolytica leukotoxin. The antigens can be used in a vaccine composition, either alone or in combination. Also disclosed are methods of vaccination as well as methods of making the subunit antigens employed in the vaccines.

Abstract: This invention relates to antigenic conjugate molecules comprising the capsular polysaccharide of Group B streptococcus type II which are covalently linked to protein. This invention also relates to vaccines and methods of immunizing mammals, including humans against infection by Group B streptococcus type II (GBS II). Multivalent vaccines comprising the conjugate molecules of this invention and antigens to other pathogenic bacteria are also claimed.

Abstract: A flexible container containing pre-deposited reagents, comprising a plurality of temporarily sealed, breakable compartments dispersed in the container, each compartment containing a reagent useful for immuno-assaying, and each compartment comprising opposed confining walls at least one of which is sufficiently flexible as to allow the compartment to be compressed in the presence of an adequate external force, external outlets in the container for the contents of said compartments, passageways extending from each of the compartments to the outlets, each of the outlets terminating in a platform that supports a drop of at least 10 .mu.L as a pendant drop, the platforms of at least two of the outlets being adjacent so as to form between them an exterior angle with respect to each other sufficient to cause drops pendant therefrom to substantially uniformly intermix.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the cloning and expression of Streptococcus pyogenes M protein genes, and, in particular, types 5, 6 and 24 gene in single-cell host organisms. The streptococcal M protein produced by the recombinant DNA techniques described herein may be formulated for use as immunogens in vaccines to protect against S. pyogenes infections. The gene for the M protein may further be employed as a molecular probe for the accurate identification of streptococci in infected body tissues and fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine to treat or prevent mastitis in a bovine species, comprising an immunologically effective amount of a plasminogen-activating streptokinase protein produced by Streptococcus uberis. The present invention further provides a method of treating or preventing mastitis in a bovine species comprising vaccinating a cow with an immunologically effective amount of a plasminogen-activating streptokinase protein produced by S. uberis. The present invention further provides an isolated plasminogen-activating streptokinase protein produced by S. uberis, or an immunogenic fragment thereof.

Abstract: Hapten-carrier conjugates capable of eliciting anti hapten antibodies in vivo by administering, in a therapeutic composition, are disclosed. Anti-hapten antibodies elicited compete with free hapten upon subsequent challenge of a vaccinated individual. Methods of preparing said conjugates and therapeutic compositions are also disclosed. Where the hapten is a drug of abuse, a therapeutic composition containing the hapten-carrier conjugate is particularly useful in the treatment of drug addiction, more particularly, cocaine addiction. Passive immunization using antibodies raised against conjugates of the instant invention is also disclosed. The therapeutic composition is suitable for co-therapy with other conventional drugs.

Abstract: The method of the present invention employs a hybrid reagent comprising a first portion (i.e., a cell-targeting portion) which binds to cell surfaces coupled to a second portion (i.e., a toxin-binding portion) which binds to, or has bound to it, an endosomally active domain of DT and releases the endosomally active domain of DT in response to the low pH in endosomal vesicles of cells. Thus, the second portion of the hybrid reagent binds an endosomally active domain directly (e.g., an antibody which binds to all or a portion of the T domain of DT) or indirectly (e.g., an antibody which binds to the R domain of a moiety in which the R domain of DT is coupled to the T domain of DT). A second endosomally active domain of DT, which is different from the first endosomally active domain of DT, is delivered to the same endosomal vesicles separately. The independent endosomally active domains of DT are not toxic to cells until they meet within the endosomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new Trypanosoma cruzi antigen, called PTc100, and to a code gene ?sic! encoding the latter, called Tc100.According to the invention, the nucleotide sequences of Tc100 and the amino acid sequences of PTc100 were determined and described.PTc100 and Tc100, or fragments thereof, modified or otherwise, can be used directly or indirectly for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi, or for the monitoring of the infection generated by the latter, in man or in animals.