Abstract: Protein “e” of H. influenzae, a lipoprotein of approximately 28,000 daltons, has been purified and sequenced. Protein “e” and peptides or proteins having a shared epitope, can be used to vaccinate against non-typable (and typable) H. influenzae and to prevent otitis media caused by H. influenzae. For this purpose, protein “e” or derivatives thereof can be produced in native, synthetic or recombinant forms and can be administered alone or in conjunction with other antigens of H. influenzae. Protein “e” can also be used in multivalent vaccines designed for H. influenzae and one or more other infectious organisms.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a complementation system for the selection and maintenance of expressed genes in bacterial hosts. The invention provides stable vectors which can be selected and maintained by complementation of chromosomal deletion mutations of purA (adenylosuccinate synthetase), obviating the use of antibiotic resistance genes. This system is useful in production organisms during fermentation and in live vaccine bacteria, such as attenuated Salmonella typhi. This system allows for selection of chromosomal integrants and for selection and stable plasmid maintenance in the vaccinated host without application of external selection pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel T-cell epitopes of bacterial products. The epitopes of the invention may be employed in the preparation of conjugates between the epitopes and medically useful antigens, haptens, or antigenic determinants. These conjugates are capable of eliciting antibody responses similar to conjugates of antigens covalently coupled to carrier proteins, and in a vaccine composition, provide a safe and more economic conjugate vaccines.

Abstract: "A method of purifying protein "e" from Haemophilus influenzae includes disrupting H. influenzae cells, subjecting the disrupted cells by differential sedimentation to obtain a total cell membrane fraction, fractionating the total cell membrane into inner and outer membrane components by density gradient sedimentation or by differential solubilization of the inner membrane component with detergents, obtaining a subfraction of the preparation of the outer membrane components which is enriched in protein "e" by extraction with an aqueous solution of 0.1-2.0% N-lauroyl sarcosine, sodium salt, solubilizing the protein "e" from the subfraction by a two-step differential solubilization process with sulfobetaine detergents, and recovering the aqueous solution which contains the purified protein "e".

Abstract: Polypeptides, nucleotides, and compositions useful for preparing diagnostic reagents for and vaccines against human Respiratory Syncytial Virus are disclosed. The polypeptides include short polypeptides which are related to a neutralizing and fusion epitope of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus fusion protein or a neutralizing epitope of the G protein.

Abstract: Polypeptides, nucleotides, and compositions useful for preparing diagnostic reagents for and vaccines against human Respiratory Syncytial Virus are disclosed. The polypeptides include short polypeptides which are related to a neutralizing and fusion epitope of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus fusion protein or a neutralizing epitope of the G protein.

Abstract: Protein "e" of H. influenzae, a lipoprotein of approximately 28,000 daltons, has been purified and sequenced. Protein "e" and peptides or proteins having a shared epitope, can be used to vaccinate against non-typable (and typable) H. influenzae and to prevent otitis media caused by H. influenzae. For this purpose, protein "e" or derivatives thereof can be produced in native, synthetic or recombinant forms and can be administered alone or in conjunction with other antigens of H. influenzae. Protein "e" can also be used in multivalent vaccines designed for H. influenzae and one or more other infectious organisms.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the cloning and expression of genes coding for the non-toxic subunit of the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT-B) of E. coli. The LT-B thus produced may be formulated for use as an immunogen in vaccines. Specific antibodies produced by this invention may be used in diagnostic tests for the detection of Vibrio cholerae or LT positive enterotoxigenic E. coli. The antibodies of this invention may further be formulated into passive vaccines for the prophylactic or therapeutic protection of human beings or other mammalian species against diarrheal diseases caused by Vibrio cholerae or by the LT positive enterotoxigenic E. coli or other bacteria.

Abstract: Polypeptides, nucleotides, and compositions useful for preparing diagnostic reagents for and vaccines against human Respiratory Syncytial Virus are disclosed. The polypeptides include short polypeptides which are related to a neutralizing and fusion epitope of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus fusion protein or a neutralizing epitope of the G protein.

Abstract: Peptides and proteins related to an epitope comprising an outer membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae are described. The peptides and proteins can be prepared by methods including novel and improved methods of purification from H. influenzae cultures, and by recombinant DNA and chemical synthetic techniques. Additionally, recombinant vectors containing nucleotide sequences encoding PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides, proteins and fusion proteins are also described. Recombinant vectors include plasmid DNA and viral DNA such as human viruses, animal viruses, insect viruses and bacteriophages that direct the expression of the PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides, proteins, and fusion proteins in appropriate host cells. The peptides, proteins, fusion proteins and viruses both "live" and "inactivated" are used as immunogens in vaccine formulations to protect against H. influenzae infections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to attenuated strains of enteroinvasive bacteria that express a peptide or protein related to an epitope of the malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The bacterial strains of the invention which can multiply in a host without causing significant disease or disorder, and which express a Plasmodium-related peptide that induces a protective immune response against malaria, can be used in live vaccine formulations for malaria. In specific embodiments, a Plasmodium-related peptide can be expressed as a fusion protein, for example, with a bacterial enterotoxin.The invention also relates to methods for expression of malaria antigens or fragments thereof within attenuated enteroinvasive bacteria.In particular embodiments, the invention is directed to the expression by attenuated Salmonella spp. of epitopes of Plasmodium circumsporozoite proteins.

Abstract: Peptides and proteins related to an epitope comprising an outer membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae are described. The peptides and proteins can be prepared by methods including novel and improved methods of puiification from H. influenzae cultures, and by recombinant DNA and chemical synthetic techniques. Additionally, recombinant vectors containing nucleotide sequences encoding PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides and proteins are also described. Recombinant vectors include plasmid DNA and viral DNA such as human viruses, animal viruses, insect viruses and bacteriophages that direct the expression of the PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides and proteins in appropriate host cells. The peptides, proteins and viruses both "live" and "inactivated" are used as immunogens in vaccine formulations to protect against H. influenzae infections. The peptides and proteins are also used as reagents in immunoassays as well as to prepare immunoglobulins for passive immunization.

Abstract: Peptides and proteins related to an epitope comprising an outer membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae are described. The peptides and proteins can be prepared by methods includng novel and improved methods of purification from H. influenzae cultures, and by recombinant DNA and chemical synthetic techniques. Additionally, recombinant vectors containing nucleotide sequence encoding PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides and proteins are also described. Recombinant vectors include plasmid DNA and viral DNA such as human viruses, animal viruses, insect viruses and bacteriophages that direct the expression of the PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides and proteins in appropriate host cells. The peptides, proteins and viruses both "live" and "inactivated" are used as immunogens in vaccine formulations to protect against H. influenzae infections. The peptides and proteins are also used as reagents in immunoassays as well as to prepare immunoglobulins for passive immunization.

Abstract: Peptides and proteins related to an epitope comprising an outer membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae are described. The peptides and proteins can be prepared by methods including novel and improved methods of purification from H. influenzae cultures, and by recombinant DNA and chemical synthetic techniques. Additionally, recombinant vectors containing nucleotide sequences encoding PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides, proteins and fusion proteins are also described. Recombinant vectors include plasmid DNA and viral DNA such as human viruses, animal viruses, insect viruses and bacteriophages that direct the expression of the PBOMP-1 and PBOMP-2 related peptides, proteins, and fusion proteins in appropriate host cells. The peptides, proteins, fusion proteins and viruses both "live" and "inactivated" are used as immunogens in vaccine formulations to protect against H. influenzae infections.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the cloning and expression of plasmids bearing genes coding for the non-toxic subunit of the heat-laible enterotoxin (LT-B) of E. coli. These plasmids may be cloned into stable avirulent strains of Salmonella typhi and used to make oral bivalent vaccines. Such vaccines may be used to prevent typhoid fever and cholera-like enterotoxin-induced diarrheal disease.

Abstract: A conjugate, which is the reductive amination product of an immunogenic capsular polymer fragment, having a reducing end and derived from the capsular polymer of a bacterial pathogen, and the non-toxic polypeptide binding subunit of the heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli (LT-BNT). Also disclosed, are methods for the preparation of the conjugates and for the preparation of vaccines containing the conjugates which elicits an effective level of antibodies in humans. By administering an immunogenic amount of the conjugates, active immunization against systematic infection in young mammals caused by bacterial pathogens can be induced.