Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the immunity of a subject or vaccinating a subject against mycobacterial infections are disclosed. The invention provides compositions comprising formalin inactivated cultures of a mycobacterium, such as M. bovis, and a Novasome® adjuvant, as well as methods for using such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a SNAP-25 substrate which includes (i) a green fluorescent protein; (ii) a first partner of an affinity couple; and (iii) a portion of SNAP-25 that includes a BoNT/A, BoNT/C1 or BoNT/E recognition sequence containing a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the green fluorescent protein and the first partner of the affinity couple. Further provided herein is a nucleic acid molecule which contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a tagged toxin substrate which includes (i) a fluorescent protein; (ii) a first partner of an affinity couple; and (iii) a clostridial toxin recognition sequence containing a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the fluorescent protein and the first partner of the affinity couple.

Abstract: Using nucleic acids encoding mutant SEA and SEB exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus, compositions and methods for use in inducing an immune response which is protective against staphylococcal aureus intoxication in subjects is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3?-OH, 5?-OH polynucleotide sequence compositions and methods for activating an immune response in an individual, and more preferably, for activating antigen presenting cells in the individual. In one embodiment, the antigen presenting cell is a dendritic cell. The present invention also includes compositions and methods for activating dendritic cells in vitro. These dendritic cells may then be administered to an individual. Preferred 3?-OH, 5?-OH polynucleotide sequences comprise six bases wherein at least 50% of the bases are guanine and the 5? base is guanine. The compositions may comprise a phosphodiester or phosphorothioate backbone.

Abstract: A peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a human papilloma virus (HPV) protein, wherein said amino acid sequence has the ability to bind to a human Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I molecule. Its use in prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of cervical carcinoma and other HPV-related diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to modulation of the immune system. More particularly, the invention relates to modulating the immune system through the use of oligonucleotide-derived compounds. The invention provides immunostimulatory agents that are less expensive to make than existing immunostimulatory oligonucleotides. The immunostimulatory agents according to the invention can, in preferred embodiments, cause immune stimulation across species lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating mastitis in a milk producing animal. The methods include administering compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides and porins from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter.

Abstract: Methods for the specific and highly sensitive detection of Treponema pallidum infection comprising the use of specific antigenic proteins and peptides unique to Treponema pallidum are provided. In particular, detection assays based on recognition of acidic repeat protein are provided. The methods of the present invention are useful for detection of primary syphilis at early stages of infection. In addition, the methods and compositions disclosed herein are directed to the differential detection of specific Treponema infections enabling the identification of causative agents for specific Treponema disease states: syphilis (Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum), yaws (Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue CDC-1 or CDC-2 strain), and bejel (Treponema pallidum subspecies endemicum).

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for treatment or prevention of infection by, or disease caused by infection with, certain species of bacteria, including in particular bacteria in which a RAP-type and/or TRAP-type molecule plays a role in pathogenesis. This includes Staphylococcus species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoparticle vaccines comprised of a carrier, particularly polymerized lipids, having multiple copies of an antigen or combinations of different antigens displayed on the carrier. Such antigen-displaying nanoparticles may also display a targeting molecule on its surface in order to direct it to a specific site or cell type to optimize a desired immune response. The present invention also relates to encapsulating an antigen or combinations of different antigens within such nanoparticles, with or without a targeting molecule displayed on its surface. The antigens used in this invention are effective to produce an immune response against a variety of pathological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of preparing purified immune globulins, immune globulin compositions, and methods of treating allergies and conditions by administering immune globulin compositions. For example, the present invention provides for purified IgG4 that is essentially free of other IgG subtypes that can be used to treat allergies and other conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunostimulatory nucleic acid compositions and methods of using the compositions. The T-rich nucleic acids contain poly T sequences and/or have greater than 25% T nucleotide residues. The TG nucleic acids have TG dinucleotides. The C-rich nucleic acids have at least one poly-C region and/ore greater than 50% c nucleotides. These immunostimulatory nucleic acids function in a similar manner to nucleic acids containing CpG motifs. The invention also encompasses preferred CpG nucleic acids.

Abstract: Botulinum neurotoxins, the most potent of all toxins, induce lethal neuromuscular paralysis by inhibiting exocytosis at the neuromuscular junction. The light chains (LC) of these dichain neurotoxins are a new class of zinc-endopeptidases that specifically cleave the synaptosomal proteins, SNAP-25, VAMP, or syntaxin at discrete sites. The present invention relates to the construction, expression, purification, and use of synthetic or recombinant botulinum neutoroxin genes. For example, a synthetic gene for the LC of the botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) was constructed and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The gene product was purified from inclusion bodies. The methods of the invention can provide 1.1 g of the LC per liter of culture. The LC product was stable in solution at 4° C. for at least 6 months. This rBoNT/A LC was proteolytically active, specifically cleaving the Glu-Arg bond in a 17-residue synthetic peptide of SNAP-25, the reported cleavage site of BoNT/A.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of immunizing a mammal against infection by a first Bordetella species. The method comprises administering to the mammal a preparation comprising a portion of the amino acid sequence of mature adenylate cyclase of a second Bordetella species. The invention also relates to vaccine preparations comprising a portion of the amino acid sequence of mature adenylate cyclase from Bordetella species.

Abstract: Vaccines for the prevention and/or treatment of Eimeria infection including one or more strains of E. maxima ARI-73/97, E. acervulina ARI-77/97, E. tenella ARI-11/98, E. necatrix MCK01 and/or E. necatrix ARI-MEDNEC3+8 are described. Eimeria selected from E. maxima ARI-73/97, E. acervuina ARI-77/97, E. tenella ARI-11/98, E. necatrix MCK01 and/or E. mecatrix ARI-MEDNEC3+8 are also described.

Abstract: Use of botulin toxin to obtain a product intended to be administered intramuscular with lissive effect in treating articular pathologies, particularly coxarthrosis, or arthrosis of the hip, epicondylitis of the elbow and rotator muscle cap pathology of the shoulder.

Abstract: The invention presents vaccine formulations comprising highly antigenic epitopes identified within the semi-conserved loop-I of domain III that are capable of eliciting parasite growth inhibitory antibodies. The cyclized or linear peptides can be applied by known adjuvants or be encapsulated by or attached onto the surface of liposomes or virosomes (IRIVs) which serve as human compatible antigen delivery systems. Both cyclized and linear versions of the peptide antigens are surprisingly effective in eliciting immune responses that are cross-reactive with parasite-expressed AMA-1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a hapten-protein-polysaccharide conjugate and a hapten-protein conjugate by reacting a protein with a hapten to produce a hapten-protein conjugate, followed by reacting the hapten-protein conjugate with a polysaccharide to provide a conjugate mixture including the hapten-protein conjugate and a hapten-protein-polysaccharide conjugate. This invention also includes the process described above with the addition of a pharmaceutically acceptable medium or delivery vehicle into the conjugate mixture. The invention further includes the process described above where the hapten is luteinizing hormone releasing hormone peptides derived from E coil, or malaria derived peptides.

Abstract: Provided are streptolysin S (SLS) polypeptides, peptides, and variants thereof, antibodies directed thereto, and isolated nucleic acids encoding such proteins. In one embodiment, a method is provided wherein a synthetic peptide of SLS is used to elicit an immune response specific for SLS in a subject to treat or prevent a streptococcal infection. In other embodiments, antibodies that neutralize the hemolytic activity of the SLS toxin may be used as a vaccinating agent.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of microbial infection, and in particular meningococcal disease, comprise a commensal Neisseria or an extract of a commensal Neisseria. Further methods and compositions comprise commensal Neisseria which express genes from virulent strains of Neisseria and/or heterologous gene products from non-neisserial sources. Such compositions are used in vaccine preparations for the treatment of microbial infection.