Abstract: The present invention discloses mammalian vaccine compositions having an effective amount of an adjuvant, the adjuvant comprising squalene or squlane, one or more phospholipids and a surfactant. These compositions also optionally contain an aluminum salt and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable buffers.

Abstract: Immunogenic conjugate molecules comprising at least a portion of a capsular polysaccharide of a Streptococcus strain linked to at least a portion of an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus strain are provided in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is increased. Particularly capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae are linked to an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus influenzae strain, which protein may be the P1, P2 or particularly the P6 outer membrane protein. Conjugate molecules comprising the P6 protein linked to a capsular polysaccharide from an encapsulated pathogen other than Streptococcus also are described, in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is enhanced. Such conjugate molecules may be incorporated into immunogenic compositions for protecting a host against disease caused by the Streptococcus strain and preferably also the Haemophilus strain.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunogenic polysaccharide-H. influenzae adhesin protein conjugates, a purified H. influenzae adhesin protein and related proteins and polypeptides, DNA useful for producing the proteins, synthetic polyribosylribotol phosphate (PRP) oligosaccharides and intermediates useful for their synthesis, and methods of making and using these materials. The conjugates comprise a PRP fragment, preferably a synthetic oligosaccharide, coupled to an H. influenzae adhesin protein. The invention further comprises purified H. influenzae adhesin proteins and novel PRP oligosaccharides. The invention also comprises methods of producing these materials and using them in a vaccine to protect humans and other mammals against H. influenzae infection.

Abstract: A vaccine composition including an antigen dispersed in an alginate gel is described. The alginate gel is preferably in the form of discrete particles coated with a polymer. Vaccination of vertebrate species can be accomplished by administering the alginate-based vaccine compositions orally.

Abstract: The invention features a method for diagnosis of pancreatitis by detecting an elevation in the amount of GP2 pancreatic glycoprotein in a sample of bodily fluid such as human blood, serum, or urine. The invention also features isolated DNA encoding human GP2, a method for producing recombinant human GP2, antibodies which specifically bind to human GP2, a method for producing anti-human GP2 antibodies, and a kit for use in the diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods for the detection of target microorganisms, such as by a visual immunoprecipitation assay, where the detection requires the migration of the target microorganisms (typically a target microorganism-antibody-detection reagent complex) along a lateral flow membrane of a diagnostic device. The present invention permits such detection by inhibiting the agglutination, or other aggregation, of target microorganisms (and particularly target microorganisms bound to an antibody-detection reagent) while the microorganisms are migrating along the lateral flow membrane.

Abstract: An isolated and purified analog of Haemophilus influenzae Hin47 protein has a decreased protease activity which is less than about 10% of that of natural Hin47 protein and preferably substantially the same immunogenic properties as natural Hin47 protein. An isolated an purified nucleic acid molecule encoding the Hin47 analog may be provided in a recombinant plasmid which may be introduced into a cell which is grown to produce the Hin47 analog. Immunogenic compositions comprising the Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid may be formulated as vaccines for in vivo administration to a host, including a human, to confer protection against diseases caused by a bacterial pathogen, including Haemophilus species, such as Haemophilus influenzae, that produces Hin47 protein or a protein capable of inducing antibodies in the host specifically reactive with Hin47 protein. The Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid also may be employed in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting and localizing light originating from a mammal are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for targeting light emission to selected regions, as well as for tracking entities within the mammal. In addition, animal models for disease states are disclosed, as are methods for localizing and tracking the progression of disease or a pathogen within the animal, and for screening putative therapeutic compounds effective to inhibit the disease or pathogen.

Abstract: A method for the production of microcapsules embedded with pharmaceuticals, peptides, proteins, enzymes and vaccines, which uses biodegradable solvents, and microcapsules free of toxic residual solvents is described. The microcapsules are obtained by spraying of a solution, suspension or water-in-oil dispersion of active materials and biodegradable polymers.

Abstract: An assay to confirm the presence of antibodies to T. cruzi in a test sample. The assay comprises detecting the presence of antibody to three T. cruzi antigens, Gp90, Gp 60/50 and LPPG in a test sample. The presence of antibody in the test sample to at least two of three T. cruzi antibodies is indicative of a confirmed reactive sample. Also provided are diagnostic reagents for detection of T. cruzi, a process for purifying GP 60/50, a process for linking a protein and LPPG, and diagnostic test kits for use when assaying for antibodies to T. cruzi.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel Haemophilus adhesion proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies.

Abstract: A method combining the techniques of immunoaffinity separation and continuous flow centrifugal separation is provided for selective separation of a nucleated heterogeneous cell population from a heterogeneous cell mixture. The heterogeneous cell mixture is intimately contacted to promote binding thereto by particles having attached a substance that actively binds to a specific desired type of cell out of the cell mixture. The particles are selected so that the sedimentation velocity of the particle/cell conjugate differs sufficiently from those of other cells in the cell mixture to allow its separation by means of a continuous flow cell separator.

Abstract: A method for assaying a specific antibody, comprising the following steps (A), (B) and (C):(A): forming a complex of a labeled antigen-a specific antibody-a carrier-bound antigen in a first reaction system comprising a mixture of the antigen (labeled antigen) against the specific antibody to be assayed, the antigen being bound to the label in advance, the antigen (carrier-bound antigen) against the above-mentioned specific antibody, the antigen being bound to the carrier in advance, and a liquid sample comprising the above-mentioned specific antibody,(B): mixing the above-mentioned separated carrier and a labeled antigen same as above after separating the above-mentioned carrier after reaction from the above-mentioned first reaction system to give a second reaction system, and(C): assaying, after separating the above-mentioned carrier after reaction from the above-mentioned second reaction system, the amount of the label bound to the above-mentioned separated carrier.

Abstract: A sensitive assay method has been discovered that reduces the amount of non-specific binding present in an assay, the method comprising detecting an analyte present in a sample through a specific binding reaction in which either an analogue of the analyte or a specific binding partner of the analyte is immobilized on a solid-phase and said specific binding reaction produces a detectable product immobilized on said solid-phase that may be correlated to the amount of analyte present in the sample wherein said assay employs an effective amount of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyethylene-alkylether, a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer, a polyalkylene oxide-modified polymethylsiloxane block copolymer, and mixtures thereof to reduce non-specific binding.

Abstract: A method of increasing efficiency of deantigenation of blood group epitopes on erythrocytes (seroconversion) by exoglycosidases utilizing a step of performing the deantigenation in a zwitterionic buffer. The method provides a buffer system and exoglycosidase that utilizes a twenty to one hundred fold lower total enzyme mass than the prior art methods.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods employing capillary containers are provided. The immunoassays may be competitive or sandwich immunoassays, where fluorescently labeled conjugates are used. Sample suspected of containing analyte is combined with fluorescently labeled conjugate, as well as any additional reactants which may be required. At least a portion of the incubated sample is placed in a capillary container. The capillary container has, on at least one region of its inner surface, a binding member capable of complexing with the fluorescently labeled conjugate, either directly or indirectly. Fluorescently labeled conjugate not complexed to binding member is then washed from the capillary container. The complexed fluorescently labeled conjugate is detected by irradiating the capillary and measuring the emitted signal. The intensity of the emitted signal is indicative of the presence of analyte in the sample.

Abstract: An assay to confirm the presence of antibodies to T. cruzi in a test sample. The assay comprises detecting the presence of antibody to three T. cruzi antigens, Gp90, Gp 60/50 and LPPG in a test sample. The presence of antibody in the test sample to at least two of three T. cruzi antibodies is indicative of a confirmed reactive sample. Also provided are diagnostic reagents for detection of T. cruzi, a process for purifying GP 60/50, a process for linking a protein and LPPG, and diagnostic test kits for use when assaying for antibodies to T. cruzi.

Abstract: Mycobacteriophage DS6A has been characterized and found to specifically infect all species of the TB complex, without any detectable infection of mycobacteria species other than those of the TB complex. DNA sequence analysis revealed several potential open reading frames, including one encoding a protein analogous to gp37 of mycobacteriophage L5 and a second encoding a protein with significant homology to the S. coelicolor DNA polymerase .beta. subunit. Based on the DNA sequence analysis, cloning sites can be identified for insertion of reporter genes, making DS6A useful as a reporter phage for specific detection and identification of species of the TB complex.

Abstract: A DNA (SEQ ID No.:2) and amino acid (SEQ ID No.:4) sequences of Glycine .alpha.-D-galactosidase are provided as well as the DNA sequence (SEQ ID No:5) and mature length amino acid sequence (SEQ ID No:7) of Phaseolus.

Abstract: The dosage response of humans to conjugate vaccines comprising a bacterial polysaccharide and a strongly-immunogenic carrier protein is determined in animals by coadministering to the animal unconjugated strongly-immunogenic carrier protein in an amount corresponding, on a weight-related basis, to that administered to the human.