Abstract: A composition and method for treating bacterial infections is disclosed which comprises the treatment of an individual with an effective amount of at least one lytic enzyme produced by a bacteria infected with a bacteriophage specific for said bacteria wherein at least one lytic enzyme is selected from the group consisting of shuffled lytic enzymes, chimeric lytic enzymes, holin enzymes, and combinations thereof. A carrier may be used for delivering the lytic enzyme. This method, and composition can be used for the treatment of upper respiratory infections, skin infections, wounds, and burns, vaginal infections, eye infections, intestinal disorders and dental problems.

Abstract: A composition for treatment of bacterial infections of the eye is disclosed which comprises a lytic enzyme composition specific for the infecting bacteria, and a carrier for delivering said lytic enzyme. The carrier for delivering at least one lytic enzyme to the eye may be but is not limited to the use of an isotonic solution.

Abstract: A composition for treatment of bacterial infections of burns and wounds of the skin, comprising an effective amount of at least one lytic enzyme produced by a bacteria infected with a bacteriophage specific for said bacteria, and a carrier for delivering said at least one lytic enzyme to the skin. The carrier may be, but is not limited to, a liquid solution applied to a bandage.

Abstract: A lozenge for the treatment of Hemophilus influenzae infections of the mouth throat and nasal passage is disclosed which comprises a lytic enzyme composition specific for Hemophilus influenzae, and a lozenge carrier for delivering said lytic enzyme.

Abstract: An enteric coated pill for treating bacterial infections of the digestive tract, wherein the bacteria to be treated are selected from the group consisting of Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter and combinations thereof, said pill comprising an effective amount of at least one lytic enzyme genetically coded by a bacteriophage specific for said bacteria of the digestive tract, whereby said enzyme has the ability to digest the cell wall of said bacteria; and a carrier for said enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for treating Streptococcal infections of the upper respiratory tract, comprising administering an effective amount of a lysin enzyme produced by group C Streptococcal bacteria infected with a C1 bacteriophage specific for the bacteria to a mouth, throat, or nasal passage of a mammal, the method providing a concentration of from about 100 to 500,000 active enzyme units per milliliter of fluid in the environment of said nasal or oral passages.

Abstract: A composition for treatment of bacterial infections of burns and wounds of the skin comprises an effective amount of at least one lytic enzyme produced by a bacteria infected with a bacteriophage specific for said bacteria, and a carrier for delivering said at least one lytic enzyme to the skin. The carrier may be, but is not limited to, a liquid solution applied to a bandage.

Abstract: A method for treatment of bacterial infections of the digestive tract is disclosed which comprises administering a lytic enzyme specific for the infecting bacteria. The lytic enzyme is preferably in a carrier for delivering said lytic enzyme. The bacteria to be treated is selected from the group consisting of Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and combinations thereof. The carrier for delivering at least one lytic enzyme to the digestive tract is selected from the group consisting of suppository enemas, syrups, or enteric coated pills.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral delivery system containing a group c streptococcal phage associated lysin enzyme for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Streptococcal A throat infections, commonly known as strep throat.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the presence and concentration of total microbial contamination or the presence and concentration of a specific microbial species on a surface is described. The method consists of a means of a collection device and fluid for removing the microbes from the surface and suspending them in a fluid phase. An aliquot of the fluid phase is introduced into a disposable test ticket which allows filtration of the sample to remove extraneous substances including somatic cells, and concentration of the microbes. The total concentration of microbes is determined by adding a somatic and bacterial releasing reagent to a disposable test device which comprises a membrane containing the luminescent reagents luciferin and luciferase, and introducing the disposable test device into a luminometer that can read the luminescence from the underside.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the rapid detection of Group A streptococci in clinical specimens, through the enzymatic digestion by a semi-purified Group C streptococcal phage associated lysin enzyme and the identification of the released antigens, through the reaction of a labelled ligand and its respective antigen or receptor. The labelled ligand can be included during the digestion of the bacteria, enabling the total assay time to be less than five minutes. The lysin enzyme is stabilized and can be lyophilized for in situ reconstitution.

Abstract: An assay is provided in which a target ligand is detected in a biological specimen. The method involves treating the target ligand with detergent and then binding the treated ligand to a particle by means of a capturing substance on the particle, thereby forming a complex. The complex is then applied to a porous membrane having a charge similar to that of a glass fiber filter in order to immobilize the complex in the porous membrane. The pore size of the membrane is substantially larger than the size of the complex such that the immobilization of the complex is substantially accomplished by means of the attraction of the complex to the charge of the porous membrane, and not as a function of the pore size of the membrane. Thereafter, the presence of the complex in the porous membrane is detected.

Abstract: A device and method for a self contained solid phase immunodiffusion assay. The device is comprised of a sample collector, and a pre-fabricated laminate which can be used in many different forms. For example, the same collector and laminate can be used with a tube having compartmentalized reagents. The seals can be broken through pressure on the sample collector. The sample collector is pushed through the seals, mixed with reagent, and then pushed into a ligand receptor reaction area which is part of the laminate. The tip of the sample collector contacts diffusable or porous membranes or filters and transfers the reactants to a capture membrane wherein a ligand receptor reaction can be examined by the naked eye or otherwise.

Abstract: A device for a self contained solid phase immunodiffusion assay. The device is comprised of a sample collector, a tube with compartmentalized reagents and a ligand receptor capture membrane filter area. The seals can be broken through pressure on the sample collector. The sample collector is pushed through the seals, mixed with reagent, and then pushed into a ligand receptor reaction area wherein the tip of the sample collector contacts diffusable membranes or filters and transfers the reactants to a capture membrane wherein a ligand receptor reaction can be visualized by the naked eye.

Abstract: An assay utilizing receptor or antibody sensitized liposome particles which have ATP encapsulated therein. The ATP is released by lysing the liposomes, and detected by means of luciferin-luciferase reagent and a luminometer. The assay provides a very sensitive process for detecting the presence of analytes such as antigens and DNA probes.