Abstract: The invention concerns nucleic acids coding for polypeptides specific of the Neisseria genus pathogenic strains, the corresponding polypeptides, and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. In particular, the invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to conjugates derived from the reductive amination of the pneumococcus serotype 5capsular polysaccharide. The conditions for reductive amination differ from conventional conditions in that they make it possible to avoid the appearance of an undesirable compound which harms the immunogenicity of the conjugates. In carbon NMR spectrum, this undesirable compound is characterized by a resonance signal between 13 and 14 ppm. The aminated polysaccharides used to produce the conjugates therefore have a carbon NMR spectrum lacking a resonance signal between 13 and 14 ppm. The invention offers two conditions for reductive amination. According to a first method, the reductive amination is carried out at a slightly acidic pH (4-6.5) for at the very most 4 hours. According to a second method, the polysaccharide is first of all reduced, then fragmented and, finally, subjected to a reductive amination per se, under conditions which may or may not be conventional.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one vaccine antigen, which also comprises at least one phosphoric ester derivative of phosphatidylcholine having the structure: in which: R1 is a lower alkyl, R2 and R3 are identical or different, and can each represent linear hydrocarbon-based chains having from 13 to 21 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention concerns nucleic acids coding for polypeptides specific of the Neisseria genus pathogenic strains, the corresponding polypeptides, and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines for immunizing a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae. The vaccine and method employ a full-length, 5?-truncated or 3?-truncated 76 kDa protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. In particular, the invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A vaccine composition comprising two valences is provided: (i) a first valence which is adjuvant-enhanced with aluminum hydroxide and (ii) a second valence which contains a polysaccharide of bacterial capsule comprising one or more o-acetyl groups and which is not adsorbed with aluminum oxide due to the presence of a protecting compound which may be a phosphate, a citrate or a carbonate and which prevents the adsorption. The first valence can be any vaccine valence. In one particular embodiment, the vaccine composition contains (i) Hepatitis A valence, adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide and (ii) the typhoid fever valence formed by the polysaccharide Vi of the Salmonella typhi capsule.

Abstract: The invention concerns nucleic acids coding for polypeptides specific of the Neisseria genus pathogenic strains, the corresponding polypeptides, and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of immunizing a host against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae. The method involves nucleic acid immunization, including DNA immunization, and employs a vector containing a nucleotide sequence which encodes an ATP/ADP translocase of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae. The nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a promoter to effect expression of the ATP/ADP translocase in the host. The host may be a human host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assaying the teichoic acids present, most commonly in residual form, in a preparation of Gram+ bacterial antigens. This method requires, first of all, a controlled hydrolysis with hydrofluoric acid at a temperature of less than or equal to 40° C., in order to release the oligosaccharides specific for teichoic acids. The assaying of the specific oligosaccharides can then be carried out by various techniques, in particular by high performance chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). The method according to the invention can in particular be used to assay the residual amounts of teichoic acids present in preparations containing capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which may be useful as vaccines.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Tbp2 proteins of M. catarrhalis strains M35, 3 and LES1. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce recombinant Tbp2 proteins of the strain of Moraxella free of other proteins of the Moraxella strain for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecules may be used in the diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.