Abstract: This invention discloses a method for the treatment or prevention of autoimmune diseases, allergic or atopic disorders and graft rejection. Specifically, it provides a means of killing a specific sub-population of T lymphocytes while leaving the majority of other T lymphocytes in the population unaffected. The sub-population of T lymphocytes are killed by repeatedly challenging the population with an antigen in conjunction with administration of interleukin-4.

Abstract: A protein complex H45 is described whose components are glycoproteins isolable from the intestinal microvillus plasma membrane of a parasitic nematode, such as Haemonchus contortus. This complex includes protein H4.5, which has an apparent molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of about 45 Kd under reducing conditions and about 90 Kd under non-reducing conditions, as well as proteins H4.9 and H5.3 which have apparent molecular weights on SDS-PAGE of about 49 Kd and about 53 Kd respectively both under reducing and under non reducing conditions. Protein complex H45 and its components can be used, optionally together with the already known protein doublet H110D, to form a vaccine which can reduce the weight of worms in sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus by an average of 91% and the parasite egg production by an average of 94.5%.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the method of selectively suppressing an immune response of a mammal to a particular alloantigen. The method includes several steps. One step is administering to a mammal an effective amount of UVB-radiation. Epidermal cell cultures, when subjected to UVA or UVB irradiation produce specific immunosuppressive factors. This UV-radiation is preferably UVA radiation (320 nm to 400 nm), or UVB-radiation (280 nm to 320 nm). It is demonstrated herein that UVA radiation results in in vitro cells producing a factor which selectively suppresses the CHS response in mammals, while UVB radiation selectively suppresses the DTH response in mammals. Another step of the inventive method involves desensitizing a mammal to a particular alloantigen. It has been determined that a mammal will become tolerant to a particular alloantigen once the subject mammal has been irradiated with a pre-determined wavelength of UVR and thereafter sensitized with the particular alloantigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the lower molecular weight subunit of the human transferrin receptor of a strain of N. meningitidis, in purified form, as well as to a vaccinal pharmaceutical composition intended for the prevention or attenuation of the effects of an N. meningitidis infection, containing the said subunit in purified form.

Abstract: A vaccinal pharmaceutical composition which comprises, as therapeutic agents, at least a first and a second molecule capable of binding to human transferrin; the said first molecule originating from a first strain of N. meningitidis which possesses a human transferrin receptor in which the lower molecular weight subunit (Tbp2) is recognised by an antiserum to the receptor of N. meningitidis strain 2394 (receptor 2394) and is not recognised by an antiserum to the receptor of N. meningitidis strain 2169 (receptor 2169); and at least a second molecule originating from a second strain of N. meningitidis which possesses a human transferrin receptor in which the lower molecular weight subunit (Tbp2) is recognised by an anti-receptor 2169 antiserum and is not recognised by an anti-receptor 2394 antiserum.

Abstract: A dual carrier immunogenic construct comprised of at least one primary carrier comprising large molecular weight molecule of greater than a 70 KD molecular weight and at least one secondary carrier comprising a T-dependent antigen conjugated to a primary carrier. The dual carrier immunogenic construct may further comprise moieties such as haptens and antigens. Such immunogenic constructs are suitable for use in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a vaccine from substantially viable spirochetal bacteria of Borrelia, preferably Borrelia burgdorferi having immunogenic or therapeutic properties and capable of inducing an immune or therapeutic response against Lyme Disease when administered to a patient is described. The product for use against Lyme Disease is produced by ultrasound treatment of substantially viable spirochetal bacteria of Borrelia burgdorferi. The invention produces a product and a method of treatment that can be used for the immunization and/or therapy of a patient against Lyme Disease to minimize or prevent the contraction of the disease or to treat the disease.

Abstract: Expression of tetanus toxin fragment C is accomplished employing a DNA coding sequence having a (G+C)-content that has been increased in the region from nucleotide 410 to the 3' end of the coding sequence relative to the wild-type DNA sequence. This allows the production of complete mRNA transcripts. Typically the (G+C)-content is increased in the following regions: (i) nucleotides 510-710, (ii) nucleotides 650-850, (iii) nucleotides 800-1100, (iv) nucleotides 900-1200 and (v) nucleotides 1100-1356. These regions in wild-type DNA encompass terminator sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunostimulating reconstituted influenza virosomes (IRIVs) comprising reconstituted functional virus envelopes containing an inactivated hepatitis A virus and an influenza hemagglutinin protein (HA) or a peptide with the amino terminal 21 amino acid residue segment of HA.sub.2 which induces the fusion of the IRIVs with cellular membranes and the lysis of the IRIV. A vaccine containing the hepatitis A IRIVs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine which comprises an antigen and an immune response augmenting agent. The immune response augmenting agent is capable of enhancing T cell lymphokine production. Suitable immune response augmenting agents include, but are not limited to, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-derivatives. Examples of DHEA derivatives include DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), 16.alpha.-bromo-DHEA, 7-oxo-DHEA, 16.alpha.-bromo-DHEA-S and 7-oxo-DHEA-S.The invention also relates to a method for enhancing a vaccine-induced humoral immune response which comprises administering a vaccine which comprises an antigen and an immunomodulator. The immunomodulator may be an immune response augmenting agent, a lymphoid organ modifying agent or a mixture of the immune response augmenting agent and lymphoid organ modifying agent. Suitable lymphoid organ modifying agents include, but are not limited to, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3, biologically active Vitamin D.sub.

Abstract: Peanut allergen Ara h II was identified using the sera of patients who had atopic dermatitis and a positive food challenge to peanut. The Ara h II allergen, having a molecular weight of 17 kD and a pI of 5.2, was isolated by anion exchange chromatography. Ara h II may be used to detect and quantify peanut allergens in foodstuffs.

Abstract: Administering a feed composition, containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of sterilized bacterial cells; disrupted cell fragments obtained by mechanical disruption or enzymatic decomposition of the cells and cell wall component-containing fractions obtained by fractionation of the disrupted cell fragments, to pregnant sows and mother sows results in a reduction in stillborn piglets, a decrease in mortality during the breast-feeding period, a reduction in the occurrence of diarrhea during the breast-feeding period, and an increase in body weight of piglets.

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 vaccines and methods for preventing or treating intestinal protozoal infections in an animal. In particular, vaccines and methods for prevention or treatment of giardiasis are provided. The invention also encompasses methods of preparing and methods of use of novel toxins, antibodies, vaccine strains and compositions that result from or are used in these methods.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for stimulating thrombocytopoiesis and for treating thrombocytopenia in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein (mCRP).

Abstract: The present invention relates to Trichinella vaccines that include at least one tyvelose-containing oligosaccharide or functional equivalent thereof, to Trichinella vaccines that include at least one fucose-containing oligosaccharide or functional equivalent thereof, and to the use of such vaccines to protect animals from Trichinella infections, and particularly from trichinosis caused by Trichinella spiralis infection. Such vaccines can also be used to produce antibodies that are capable of protecting an animal from Trichinella infections and of diagnosing such infections. The present invention also relates to Trichinella diagnostic reagents that include at least one tyvelose-containing oligosaccharide, or functional equivalent thereof, and use of such reagents to detect Trichinella, and particularly Trichinella spiralis infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mycoplasma isolated from the urine of patients with AIDS. The mycoplasma has unique morphological and pathobiological properties. The invention also relates to the antigens and antibodies of the novel mycoplasma, and methods of detection utilizing these antigens and antibodies. Antigenically and genetically, the mycoplasma is distinct from all other known mycoplasmas.

Abstract: A method of purifying B. burgdorferi proteins comprising the steps of (a) disrupting a B. burgdorferi cell and fractionating the disrupted cell into membrane and cytoplasmic components; (b) resuspending the membrane component in a non-denaturing detergent thereby producing a solubilized protein and an insolubilized material and then separating said solubilized protein from said insolubilized material; (c) subjecting the solubilized protein to ion-exchange chromatography so as to produce protein fractions; and (d) assaying the protein fractions to identify those fractions which contain proteins of interest wherein the purified proteins of interest are in a biologically active form suitable for use in vaccines, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine which is protective against avian polyomavirus infection in a bird which is classified as being a member of the Psittaciformes order which comprises an immunogenic amount of an inactivated avian polyomavirus in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided is an adjuvant suitable for use in a bird which is classified as being a member of the Psittaciformes order. Further provided is a composition which produces an anamnestic response against avian polyomavirus infection in a sensitized bird which is classified as being a member of the Psittaciformes order, which comprises an anamnestic response inducing amount of a recombinant protein (e.g., VP1 capsid protein) of avian polyomavirus in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine which comprises an antigen and a lymphoid organ modifying agent. Suitable lymphoid organ modifying agents include 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3, biologically active Vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives which are capable of activating the intracellular Vitamin D.sub.3 receptor, all trans-retinoic acid, retinoic acid derivatives, retinol, retinol derivatives and glucocorticoid. The vaccine composition may further comprise an immune response augmenting agent which enhances T cell lymphokine production. Suitable immune response augmenting agents include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-derivatives. Examples of DHEA derivatives include DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), 16-.alpha.-bromo-DHEA, 7-oxo-DHEA, 16-.alpha.-Br-DHEA-S and 7-oxo-DHEA-S.