Abstract: C. difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Unfortunately, antibiotic therapy remains as the standard treatment for this antibiotic-induced disease and relapses are common. Antibiotic treatment typically is given for 10 to 14 days for initial or second episode of CDI. For recurrent episodes, more prolonged courses are recommended. It is disclosed herein that lower dose or shorter course of the antimicrobial treatment is sufficient to treat the disease and prevent recurrent disease by enabling a good immunologic response to infection, and perhaps also by better preserving normal flora, thus protecting against relapses or reinfection.

Abstract: The invention provides novel antimicrobial chemical entities based on a nitrothiazolide backbone that exhibit antibacterial and antiparasitic action against a wide range of human pathogens. The new classes of compounds show extended action against Gram positive bacteria including MRSA drug resistant pathogens. In the Gram-positive organisms, they specifically target and functionally inhibit microbial attachment to surfaces and biofilm formation. In Gram-negative bacteria, including enteroaggregative E. coli strains, these compounds function as pilicides by inhibiting the assembly of pilin subunits into adhesive filaments. Several of these compounds show potent antimicrobial action against Gram positive bacteria, perhaps involving novel targets. Many of the benzothiophene derivatives exhibit antimicrobial activity in the low micrograms per ml range and in blocking biofilm formation in the nanomolar range; ranges considered are well within the range of utility as therapeutics.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for targeted delivery of biotherapeutics are provided. The compositions comprise bile-sensitive St. thermophilus bacteria modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Biotherapeutic agents released by the St. thermophilus bacteria disclosed herein include AQ and AQR rich peptides. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a St. thermophilus bacterium modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Administration of the St. thermophilus bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The bacterium may be modified to express and release AQ or AQR rich peptides which subsequently inhibit cellular apoptosis or reduce mucosal damage. Thus, methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including C. difficile infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Abstract: C. difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Unfortunately, antibiotic therapy remains as the standard treatment for this antibiotic-induced disease and relapses are common. Antibiotic treatment typically is given for 10 to 14 days for initial or second episode of CDI. For recurrent episodes, more prolonged courses are recommended. It is disclosed herein that lower dose or shorter course of the antimicrobial treatment is sufficient to treat the disease and prevent recurrent disease by enabling a good immunologic response to infection, and perhaps also by better preserving normal flora, thus protecting against relapses or reinfection.

Abstract: The invention provides novel antimicrobial chemical entities based on a nitrothiazolide backbone that exhibit antibacterial and antiparasitic action against a wide range of human pathogens. The new classes of compounds show extended action against Gram positive bacteria including MRSA drug resistant pathogens. In the Gram-positive organisms, they specifically target and functionally inhibit microbial attachment to surfaces and biofilm formation. In Gram-negative bacteria, including enteroaggregative E. coli strains, these compounds function as pilicides by inhibiting the assembly of pilin subunits into adhesive filaments. Several of these compounds show potent antimicrobial action against Gram positive bacteria, perhaps involving novel targets. Many of the benzothiophene derivatives exhibit antimicrobial activity in the low micrograms per ml range and in blocking biofilm formation in the nanomolar range; ranges considered are well within the range of utility as therapeutics.

Abstract: The invention provides novel antimicrobial chemical entities based on a nitrothiazolide backbone that exhibit antibacterial and antiparasitic action against a wide range of human pathogens. The new classes of compounds show extended action against Gram positive bacteria including MRSA drug resistant pathogens. In the Gram-positive organisms, they specifically target and functionally inhibit microbial attachment to surfaces and biofilm formation. In Gram-negative bacteria, including enteroaggregative E. coli strains, these compounds function as pilicides by inhibiting the assembly of pilin subunits into adhesive filaments. Several of these compounds show potent antimicrobial action against Gram positive bacteria, perhaps involving novel targets. Many of the benzothiophene derivatives exhibit antimicrobial activity in the low micrograms per ml range and in blocking biofilm formation in the nanomolar range; ranges considered are well within the range of utility as therapeutics.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for targeted delivery of biotherapeutics are provided. The compositions comprise bile-sensitive St. thermophilus bacteria modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Biotherapeutic agents released by the St. thermophilus bacteria disclosed herein include AQ and AQR rich peptides. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a St. thermophilus bacterium modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Administration of the St. thermophilus bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The bacterium may be modified to express and release AQ or AQR rich peptides which subsequently inhibit cellular apoptosis or reduce mucosal damage. Thus, methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including C. difficile infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Abstract: The invention provides FIG. 1 novel antimicrobial chemical entities based on a nitrothiazolide backbone that exhibit antibacterial and antiparasitic action against a wide range of human pathogens. The new classes of compounds show extended action against Gram positive bacteria including MRSA drug resistant pathogens. In the Gram-positive organisms, they specifically target and functionally inhibit microbial attachment to surfaces and biofilm formation. In Gram-negative bacteria, including enteroaggregative E. coli strains, these compounds function as pilicides by inhibiting the assembly of pilin subunits into adhesive filaments. Several of these compounds show potent antimicrobial action against Gram positive bacteria, perhaps involving novel targets. Many of the benzothiophene derivatives exhibit antimicrobial activity in the low micrograms per ml range and in blocking biofilm formation in the nanomolar range; ranges considered are well within the range of utility as therapeutics.

Abstract: We disclose a method of inhibiting activity of adenylyl cyclase or guanylyl cyclase in a mammal by administering to the mammal an amount of a composition effective to inhibit the activity, wherein the composition contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of structural formulae (Ia) and (Ib) and salts thereof, wherein R1 is —H or has the structure —C(?O)R8; R2 is ?O or has the structure —OC(?O)R9; and R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are each independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —NO2, formula (I), -halogen, —OC(?O)R9, —OR9, —OH, —R8OH, —CH3, —OC(?O)CH2Ph, formulae (II), (III), (IV), —OPh, —CF3, —R8, —C(?O)OR9, -Ph, —R8Ph, formulae (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII), (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), (XVI), (XVII), (XVIII), (XIX), (XX), and (XXI), wherein each R8 is independently a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and each R9 is independently a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A therapeutic method for treating intestinal damage, enteritis, diarrhea, or a combination thereof caused by a C. difficile is provided. The method includes administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of an A2A adenosine receptor agonist, optionally in combination with an effective amount of a stable glutamine derivative, e.g., alanyl-glutamine.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioproduction of glutamine rich peptides. These peptides are used for rehydration and nutrition therapy in patients and for enhanced nutrition in animals. The peptides may be used as individual peptides or combined with other peptides in oligopeptides or proteins. Compositions of glutamine rich peptides and nucleic acid sequences for producing such peptides, as well as methods of production and use, are described.

Abstract: The administration of the PAF antagonists BN 52021 and SR 27417, in combination with cyclooxygenase antagonist indomethacin are disclosed as effective in inhibiting the secretory effects caused by Cholera toxin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment fluid secretion caused by Cholera toxin that can be blocked through the administration of PAF antagonists BN 52021 and SR 27417.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of dehydration or nitrogen deficiency-based malnutrition is provided which involves administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound selected from oligopeptides formed from the coupling of one or more amino acids with glutamine, the product of coupling glucose with glutamine, the product of coupling glucose and one or more amino acids with glutamine, or the product from acylating glutamine with a carboxylic acid having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of antibiotic associated colitis, typically due to Clostridium difficile using the Platelet Activating Factor antagonists WEB 2170, SR 27417 or BN 52021, or the cyclooxygenase antagonist indomethacin. The PAF antagonists BN 52021 and SR 27417 and the cyclooxygenase antagonist indomethacin were effective in inhibiting the secretory effects caused by C. difficile Toxin A and by Cholera toxin.

Abstract: An in vitro test for determining the presence of leukocytes in a fecal sample which is sensitive to the numbers of fecal leukocytes typically found in inflammatory diarrheal specimens, by testing the fecal sample with an assay utilizing an antibody for lactoferrin.

Abstract: A method of enrichment and isolation of urease producing organisms from a contaminated specimen by first homogenizing the contaminated specimen in water, then introducing the homogenized contaminated specimen into a solution of urea in an acid, wherein some of the organisms are killed by the acidic medium and remaining organisms are protected from acid attack by creating a protective ammonia by breaking down the urea, and plating the remaining organisms onto a medium which contains antibiotics inhibitory to some of the remaining organisms, but not inhibitory to organisms to be isolated.

Abstract: Hemorrhagic fluid secretion and histologic damage to the intestinal mucosa by C. difficile toxin is blocked by the use of phospholipase inhibitors.