Abstract: Glucans having exclusively or mainly ?-1,3 linkages are used as immunogens. These comprise ?-1,3-linked glucose residues. Optionally, they may include ?-1,6-linked glucose residues, provided that the ratio of ?-1,3-linked residues to ?-1,6-linked residues is at least 8:1 and/or there are one or more sequences of at least five adjacent non-terminal residues linked to other residues only by ?-1,3 linkages. The glucans will usually be used in conjugated form. A preferred glucan source is curdlan, which may be hydrolyzed to a suitable form prior to conjugation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising the bacteriophage EK88P-1 isolated from the nature and having a broad antibacterial spectrum against E. coli as an active ingredient, and a method for preventing and treating E. coli infections using the said composition. The bacteriophage EK88P-1, the active ingredient of the composition of the present invention, has a broad antibacterial spectrum against E. coli and has the genome characteristically composed of the partial nucleotide sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 25, and also characterized by the bacteriophage belonging to the Myoviridae family according to the morphology that is composed of the major structural proteins in the sizes of approximately 49 kDa, 53 kDa, 94 kDa, and 103 kDa.

Abstract: A bacterial macromolecular complex produced by bacteria belonging to the Bifidobacterium longum strain deposited according to the treaty of Budapest under number CNCM I-3994 with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (CNCM) [National Collection of Microorganism Cultures], consisting of chains combining a lipoprotein and an oligosaccharide, wherein: the lipoprotein has a molecular weight of from 30 kDa to 60 kDa; the oligosaccharide has a molecular weight of less than 15 kDa, and preferably less than 10 kDa; the lipoprotein component, which consists of all the lipoproteins of each of the chains, represents from 75 to 99%, preferentially from 80 to 98%, more preferentially from 85 to 95% by weight of the total weight of the complex, and the oligosaccharide component, which consists of all the oligosaccharides combined with each of the chains, represents from 1 to 25%.

Abstract: Conjugated meningococcal capsular saccharides will be introduced into immunization schedules in the near future, but the phenomenon of “carrier suppression” must first be addressed, particularly where multiple conjugates are to be used. It has been found that diphtheria toxoid and its derivatives (such as CRM197) can safely be used as the carrier protein, even where multiple meningococcal conjugates are administered at the same time and where a patient has previously been exposed to the carrier protein, either in the form of a previous immunogen (e.g. in a DTP vaccine) or as a previous carrier protein (e.g. in a Hib or pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). The invention provides a method for immunizing a patient, comprising administering multiple conjugates of meningococcal capsular saccharides, wherein each conjugate comprises a diphtheria toxoid (or derivative thereof) carrier protein, and the capsular saccharide, and wherein the patient has been pre-immunized with a diphtheria toxoid (or derivative thereof).

Abstract: The present technology provides vaccine compositions comprising native outer membrane vesicles (NOMVs) from at least one genetically modified strain of Neisseria which provides protective immunity to meningococcal disease, more preferably subtype B meningococcal disease. The present technology further provides methods of immunizing an animal or human against meningococcal disease comprising administering the vaccine composition of the present invention.

Abstract: Prion peptides comprising prion epitopes and fusions thereof, that display enhanced immunogenicity are described. Also described are methods of treating and diagnosing prion disease.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lipoprotein particle, methods for preparing and purifying the same, its use in medicine, particularly in the prevention of malarial infections, compositions/vaccines containing the particle or antibodies against the protein particle such as monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies and use of the same, particularly in therapy. In particular it relates to an immunogenic protein particle comprising the following monomers: a. a fusion protein comprising sequences derived from a CS protein of P. vivax and the S antigen of Hepatitis B (CSV-S), and b. a fusion protein comprising sequences derived from CS protein of P. falciparum and S antigen of Hepatitis B (RTS), and c. optionally the S antigen derived from Hepatitis B.

Abstract: Chimera proteins including: (i) at least one sequence of a DbpA protein of a Borrelia species selected from B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. garinii, and (ii) at least one sequence of an OspC protein of a Borrelia species selected from B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. garinii. Also, a method and a kit for the in vitro diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis using said proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bacteria which specifically target infarcted tissue and use thereof. The present invention provides a selective infarcted tissue-targeting bacterium for the first time, and can be used in selectively delivering drugs to the infarcted tissue or in selectively imaging the infarcted tissue. The infarcted tissue-targeting bacterium of the present invention can finish treatments by using antibiotics, and therefore, have remarkable advantages as compared to gene therapy using recombinant viruses. The infarcted tissue-targeting bacterium of the present invention have a significantly high affinity and specificity to infarcted myocardium or infarcted brain, thereby significantly reducing undesired transfections in the organs or tissues other than the heart. The gene expression by the infarcted tissue-targeting bacterium of the present invention in infarcted myocardium or infarcted brain is remotely controllable.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing, and compositions comprising, an isolated alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid derivative bearing a non-reducing end enriched for one or more de-N-acetyl residues and resistant to degradation by exoneuraminidase. A representative production method involves: (i) treating an alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid precursor having a reducing end and a non-reducing end with sodium borohydride under conditions for de-N-acetylating the non-reducing end; and (ii) isolating alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid derivative having one or more de-N-acetylated residues and a non-reducing end that is resistant to degradation by exoneuraminidase. Isolated alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid derivatives that comprise a non-reducing end de-N-acetyl residue are provided, as well as antibodies specific for the derivatives, compositions comprising the derivatives, kits, and methods of use including protection against and detection of E. coli K1 and N.

Abstract: Dextrans produced by lactic acid bacteria Leuconostoc mesenteroides and consisting of linear ?1,6-glucan chains modified with short side-chains composed of consecutive ?1,6-linked glucose residues were linked to a carrier protein. Three dextrans, namely Dextran-5K, Dextran-3.5K and Dextran-1.5K, with molecular masses of 5,000 Da, 3,500 Da and 1,500 Da, respectively, were modified with a diamino group-containing linker, followed by the introduction of maleimido functionality and conjugation to thiolated tetanus toxoid (TT), yielding Dextran-5K-TT, Dextran-3.5K-TT and Dextran-1.5K-TT conjugates. Studies performed with post-immune sera of mice and rabbits immunized with dextran-based glycococonjugates demonstrated cross-reactivity with LPS from typeable and non-typeable H. pylori strains and selected mutants. The post-immune sera from rabbits that received the conjugates exhibited functional activity against ?1,6-glucan-positive strains of H.

Abstract: An attenuated enterohemorrhagic E. coli-based vaccine vector is disclosed. Enterotoxigenic E. coli colonization factor antigen 1 and the B subunit of E. coli heat labile toxin have been expressed in the attenuated enterohemorrhagic E. coli vector strain. Immunized animals are further protected against lethal and non lethal challenges with the enterotoxigenic E. coli strain. Immunization of mice with the vaccine construct induces mucosal antibody against both antigens, establishing the attenuated E. coli vector strain as a generally useful vector for presenting one or more antigens to a subject in a vaccine.

Abstract: Improved formulations for transdermal delivery of botulinum toxin are disclosed. The formulations include, for example, botulinum toxin non-covalently associated with a positively charged backbone having branching or efficiency groups. The formulations also include a partitioning agent, oligo-bridge, or polyanion bridge, and may optionally contain a viscosity modifying agent. The formulations are designed for topical application onto the skin of a patient and may be used to treat wrinkles, hyperhidrosis, and other health-related problems. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the diagnosis or detection of infection by a pathogen that causes Lyme disease in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved vaccine against pertussis wherein mutants of Bordetella pertussis having a modified LPS molecule or the obtainable LPS molecules are used. These mutants or the obtainable LPS molecules may further be used as an adjuvant.

Abstract: This invention concerns compositions and methods of treating or diagnosing inflammatory disorders and other disorders, as well as compositions and methods of treating HIV.

Abstract: There is provided, inter alia, a method for the prophylaxis of productive malaria infection in travelers to endemic regions comprising the administration of suitable amounts of a formulation comprising a Plasmodium antigen or an immunogenic fragment or derivative thereof and an adjuvant, comprising a lipid A derivative and a saponin in a liposome formulation.

Abstract: A method is described for the diagnosis and/or monitoring of active or previous infection by Mucor which consists in the identification of Mucorales-specific T cells in samples from biological fluids taken from the patient and put into contact with a Mucor antigen. These specific immune responses can be detected by the execution of immunoenzymatic assays (ELISPOT, Quantiferon) or of immunocytofluorimetric assays [Cytokine Secretion Assay (CSA), Intracellular Cytokine Staining (ICS)] in vitro. In greater detail, the method in question provides for checking for the presence of specific IFN-? producing T cells, of specific IL-10 producing T cells and/or specific IL-4 producing T cells.

Abstract: Vaccine formulations effective against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are disclosed, as well as methods of using the vaccine formulations in the treatment and prevention of Staphylococcus aureus infections in a subject.