Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Cryptococcus neoformans, a causative agent for human cryptococcosis. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a coding segment of the gene encoding the fungal specific transcription factor gene in Cryptococcus neoformans, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as templates, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Cryptococcus neoformans. Real-time PCR and detection using florescence resonance energy transfer is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that bind to the antigenic proteins GroES, RpIL, GroEL, SodB, UbiG, the ABC transporter, and an expressed antigenic protein of unknown function (the “BepA” protein) of Bartonella henselae, and use of these antigenic proteins in immunoassays in order to determine whether a sample from a subject contains one or more of these antibodies. Presence of such an antibody in the subject indicates that the subject is or was infected with Bartonella henselae, or indicates that the subject has an increased likelihood of being infected presently or in the past with Bartonella henselae. Also disclosed are kits for performing immunoassays, wherein each kit contains one or more of these antigenic proteins and also contains the reagents necessary for conducting an immunoassay.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains a human metapneumovirus or has an increased likelihood of containing a human metapneumovirus, a virus which is a causative agent of respiratory tract disease in humans. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a coding segment of the gene encoding the fusion protein of a human metapneumovirus, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using reverse transcripts of RNA from a biological sample as templates, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains a human metapneumovirus or has an increased likelihood of containing a human metapneumovirus.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful in the detection and identification of species of Candida are disclosed. These species include Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis, each of which is a causative agent for vaginal candidiasis. The compositions of the invention are combinations of oligonucleotides. These oligonucleotides include pairs of forward and reverse primers for polymerase chain reactions, wherein each primer pair is capable of priming the synthesis of an amplicon specific to one of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis, but preferably is not capable of priming the synthesis of an amplicon specific to any of the other three species.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Atopobium vaginae or has an increased likelihood of containing Atopobium vaginae, an organism which is seen in conjunction with bacterial vaginosis or is a causative agent of bacterial vaginosis. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a segment of the genome of Atopobium vaginae, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as a template, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Atopobium vaginae or has an increased likelihood of containing Atopobium vaginae.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for conducting assays of samples utilizing polymerase chain reactions (“PCRs”) in the detection of serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis capable of causing lymphogranuloma venereum (“LGV”). These serotypes are in the L group of Chlamydia trachomatis, and include the L I, L II, and L III serotypes. These assays take advantage of a deletion occurring in the cytotoxin gene locus specific to the L I, L II, and L III serotypes. The genome of each of these three serotypes contains the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the nucleotide at the 3? end of SEQ ID NO:1 and the nucleotide at the 5? end of SEQ ID NO:2 are contiguous, and wherein the deletion point of the cytotoxin gene locus is located between these two nucleotides.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that bind to the antigenic proteins GroES, RplL, GroEL, SodB, UbiG, the ABC transporter, and an expressed antigenic protein of unknown function (the “BepA” protein) of Bartonella henselae, and use of these antigenic proteins in immunoassays in order to determine whether a sample from a subject contains one or more of these antibodies. Presence of such an antibody in the subject indicates that the subject is or was infected with Bartonella henselae, or indicates that the subject has an increased likelihood of being infected presently or in the past with Bartonella henselae. Also disclosed are kits for performing immunoassays, wherein each kit contains one or more of these antigenic proteins and also contains the reagents necessary for conducting an immunoassay.

Abstract: A method and kit related thereto are described for the collection and maintenance of detectability of a plurality of species of microbiological agents in a single clinical sample as well as an integral method for handling a plurality of the samples and managing information associated therewith for reporting a sum of diagnostic results for each sample.

Abstract: A method and kit related thereto are described for the collection and maintenance of detectability of a plurality of species of microbiological agents selected from the group consisting of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, in a single gynecological sample which comprises providing transport media in a resealable container and instructions for preparation and handling of the gynecological sample and a written indication of the detectability of a plurality of species.

Abstract: A method is provided for receiving and handling a plurality of clinical samples and managing information associated therewith for generating and reporting any of a plurality of different diagnostic results from each sample in a timely manner, particularly within about thirty (30) hours. Methods described comprise, for example, receiving a plurality of single gynecological swab samples, each having identity and test requisition information associated therewith, wherein the test requisition information indicates a test for at least one causative agent, from a choice of a plurality of agents (for example, between about 5 and about 25 different microbiological agents) and managing information associated therewith for generating and reporting any of a plurality of different diagnostic results for each sample.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides and methods for using these oligonucleotides in the detection of Aspergillus fumigatus are disclosed. Aspergillus fumigatus is the causative agent for medical conditions including invasive aspergillosis. The oligonucleotides of the invention have nucleotide sequences derived from the gene encoding the cytochrome P450 14 alpha-sterol demethylase (i.e., the Cyp51A protein) of Aspergillus fumigatus. The oligonucleotides of the invention include forward primers and reverse primers which in combination are capable of priming the synthesis of amplicons specific to cyp51A in polymerase chain reactions using nucleic acids isolated from Aspergillus fumigatus as templates. The oligonucleotides of the invention also include probes capable of detecting these cyp51A-specific amplicons.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for detecting and identifying distinct species of nucleic acids, in a single container, for example, from a certain genus of infectious agents or otherwise causative agents comprising, for example, providing a forward PCR primer common to a homologous gene region between the distinct species, and providing a reverse PCR primer common to a homologous gene region between the distinct species, to thereby define a PCR target region amongst the species, and providing a first oligonucleotide probe specific to a nucleic acid sequence within the target region that is characteristic of a first species, providing a second oligonucleotide probe specific to a nucleic acid sequence within the target region that is characteristic of a second species, wherein the first and second oligonucleotide probes are each detectably labeled with distinctly different detectable labels, conducting a PCR reaction in the container by means of the primers to amplify the target region amongst the species, and de

Abstract: A method for diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome in an individual. Peripheral blood monocytes are isolated and p68 kinase activity, mRNA levels, protein levels, apoptosis and cell cycle analysis are measured. Significantly increased levels of any of these compared to healthy control individuals indicates the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome in an individual. Peripheral blood monocytes are isolated and p68 kinase activity, mRNA levels, protein levels, apoptosis and cell cycle analysis are measured. Significantly increased levels of any of these compared to healthy control individuals indicates the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract: Chronic fatigue syndrome in an individual is diagnosed by determining the level of RNase L inhibitor mRNA or protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Significantly decreased levels of RLI mRNA or protein compared to healthy control individuals indicates the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome.