Abstract: Diphtheria and Pseudomonas infections are very common worldwide. The toxins involved in the pathogenesis of those diseases act by inactivating the elongation factor-2 (EF-2), therefore blocking protein synthesis and leading to cell death. Diphthamide formation on EF-2 is a prerequisite step in the inactivation of EF-2, and Dph proteins have been identified as modulating this process. The present application concerns Dph2 deletion mutant genes and proteins and their uses in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Streptococcus proteins and polynucleotides encoding them are disclosed. Said proteins are antigenic and therefore useful vaccine components for the prophylaxis or therapy of streptococcus infection in animals. Also disclosed are recombinant methods of producing the protein antigens as well as diagnostic assays for detecting streptococcus bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention includes liquid formulations of botulinum toxin that are stable to storage in liquid form at standard refrigerator temperatures for at least 1-2 years and to storage at higher temperatures for at least 6 months. The invention also includes methods of treatment using such formulations for various therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for making an activated carboxypeptidase in a fungi cell comprising introducing a DNA sequence encoding a proform of the carboxypeptidase wherein a Kex2 site has been introduced in the prosequence of the carboxypeptidase, culturing the fungi cell under conditions suitable for expression of the procarboxypeptidase and cleaving off the prosequence within the cell to liberate the free active form of the carboxypeptidase. The invention is also related to methods for making mature human insulin and human insulin analogues by use of the activated carboxypeptidase enzyme.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of allergic airway diseases in mammals related to Pythiosis insidiosum is described. The method relies upon an immunotherapeutic product of pythium proteins as antigens. The method is particularly useful in equine cicatrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of biology, more specifically to the field of immunology and microbiology. The invention further relates to the field of vaccines against microbial infections and especially bacterial vaccines, in particular to pneumococcal vaccines. More in particular, the invention relates to means and methods to identify, select and isolate a vaccine component for passive and/or active immunisation against a microorganism that can be killed by opsonophagocytic cells. The invention relates to a method to identify an opsonophagocytosis inducing antigen as a vaccine component for immunisation against a microorganism. The invention describes three pneumococcal proteins SlrA, IgAl proteinase, and PsaA, and their use as a vaccine component with or without PpmA. The invention also discloses the use of antibodies against said proteins for passive immunization and diagnosis.

Abstract: A molecular construct capable of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), comprising a linker peptide, a donor fluorophore moiety and an acceptor fluorophore moiety, wherein the linker peptide is a substrate of a botulinum neurotoxin selected from the group consisting of synaptobrevin, syntaxin and SNAP-25, or a fragment thereof capable being cleaved by the botulinum neurotoxin, and separates the donor and acceptor fluorophores by a distance of not more than 10 nm, and wherein emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore moiety overlaps with the excitation spectrum of the acceptor fluorophore moiety; or wherein the emission spectra of the fluorophores are detectably different. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid expressing the construct, kits comprising said construct and cell lines comprising said nucleic acid. Further provided are methods of detecting a BoNT using the above described construct via FRET, and methods for detecting a BoNT using surface plasmon resonance imaging.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of PorB polypeptide as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiment the invention features a chlamydial vaccine based on a PorB polypeptide, as well as methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila. The invention further features methods for identifying agents that affect PorB function (such as in transport of ?-ketoglutarate and which are effective as anti-chlamydial chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the delivery of biologically active polypeptides to a subject by colonizing non-pathogenic Gram negative bacteria. Also provided by this invention are methods of treating or preventing diseases by administering colonizing Gram negative bacteria that express one or more biologically active polypeptides. The colonizing non-pathogenic Gram negative bacteria may be administered in pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for malaria testing which enables testing for the presence of malaria infection and the extent of the infection in a convenient manner; and a reagent or kit which can be used in the method. The method for malaria testing according to the present invention includes the step of detecting a liver-type fatty acid binding protein present in urine collected from a subject animal. The extent of infection is determined to be higher when a larger amount of the liver-type fatty acid binding protein is present in a test sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of diagnosing disease of bacterial or fungal origin in a subject, which method comprises the step of measuring the level of Strem-1 in a biological sample obtained from said subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, improved carrier proteins for antigen-based vaccines, including polysaccharide-based vaccines. An aspect of the invention advantageously employs tetanus toxin Fragment C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treatment of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection. The invention provides for the use of Hsp90 inhibitors for treatment of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection, particularly in an immunocompromised subject. Also provided is a screening method for identifying compounds useful for treating latent Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines, in particular, to an attenuated gram-negative cell comprising the SPI2 gene locus, wherein at least one gene of the SPI2 locus is inactivated, wherein said inactivation results in an attenuation/reduction of virulence compared to the wild type of said cell, and to a carrier for the presentation of an antigen to a host, which carrier is said attenuated gram-negative cell, wherein said cell comprises at least one heterologous nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence coding for said antigen, wherein said cell is capable of expressing said nucleic acid molecule or capable of causing the expression of said nucleic acid molecule in a target cell.

Abstract: The invention features compositions relating to antibodies that specifically bind to the protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis, fragments thereof, and nucleic acids encoding same. The invention further features methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Bacillus spore specific antigen. Compositions and methods relating to the antigen are provided along with antibodies against the antigen. The antigen is specific for Bacillus spores relative to the vegetative form of the cells. The antigen is detectable on ungerminated spores. The antibodies may be used to detect the presence of Bacillus spores by use of methods provided herein. The invention also relates to articles of manufacture as well as kits comprising the antibodies which may be used in the detection methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods, kits, compositions, and combinations to identify anti-infective or anti-pathogenic agents. The present invention also relates to methods, kits, compositions, and combinations directed to identifying elements of RNA metabolism related to pathogen propagation, monitoring of these RNA metabolic events, and to agents capable of interrupting RNA metabolism in a pathogen-specific fashion.

Abstract: A stabilizing composition that also enhances permeation is provided for the topical or transdermal administration of an active ingredient. The composition comprises collagen, elastin, sphingosine and cerebroside. Also provided are pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations comprising an effective amount of an active agent and the stabilizing composition as well as methods of administering active agents topically or transdermally.

Abstract: Metabolic auxotroph of Vibrio cholerae 0139 synonym Bengal which has a mutation in its hem A gene and which is not capable of synthesizing aminolevulinic acid (ALA) de novo and which is obtained from a parent strain originally isolated from a patient's coproculture having all the identifying characteristics of Vibrio cholerae 0139 synonym Bengal is described. In this strain the hem A gene is mutated by inserting a kanamycin resistant gene cassette. Another metabolic auxotroph of Vibrio cholerae 01 E1 Tor where the hem A gene is mutated by a frame shift mutation is disclosed. Methods of producing the strains are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnostic test system for detecting Salmonella infections in a sample using monoclonal antibodies specific for SipC-protein.