Abstract: The present invention relates to mhp3 nucleic acids and proteins encoded by the foregoing. The present invention further relates to novel apoprotein antigens encoded by mhp3 for use in vaccines to prevent and treat diseases caused by infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. The invention further relates to methods for the recombinant production of such antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to therapeutic compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of intestinal disease conditions in animals and birds caused or exacerbated by Lawsonia intracellularis or similar or otherwise related microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a novel gene derived from Lawsonia intracellularis, which encodes an immunogenic polypeptide that is particularly useful as an antigen in a vaccine preparation for conferring humoral immunity against Lawsonia intracellularis and related pathogens in animal hosts, wherein said polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of flhB, fliR, ntrC, glnH, motA, motB, tlyC, ytfM, and ytfN polypeptides, or a homologue, analogue or derivative of any one or more of said polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacterial isolates identified by their 16S rRNA DNA, that cause periodontal disease in companion animals, polynucleotide sequences contained therein, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotide sequences and vaccines comprising such bacteria, polynucleotides, or polypeptides. Also provided are methods for treating and preventing periodontal disease and kits for detecting and treating periodontal disease kits for detecting and preventing periodontal disease. In addition, methods for assessing the efficacy of a vaccine against periodontal diseases in an animal are provided.

Abstract: An automated inspection system for identifying geometric or electromagnetic characteristics of parts includes a rotary feeder that arranges bulk parts in a single-file stream on its rim. A first deflector mechanism is connected to the feeder for providing predetermined minimum spacing between the parts on the rim. The first deflector mechanism includes, for example, a detector for detecting parts travelling on the rim, a gate for diverting parts from the rim when the spacing between consecutive parts is less than the predetermined minimum spacing, and an actuator responsive to signals from the detector to selectively pivot the gate. Further, the inspection system includes an inspection device for inspecting parts fed by the feeder means past the deflector mechanism.