Abstract: The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.

Abstract: Methods of producing a pathogen with reduced replicative fitness are disclosed, as are attenuated pathogens produced using the methods. In particular examples, the method includes deoptimizing one or more codons in a coding sequence, thereby reducing the replicative fitness of the pathogen. Methods of using the attenuated pathogens as immunogenic compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions including primers and probes, which are capable of interacting with the disclosed nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acids encoding the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV as disclosed herein. Thus, provided in an oligonucleotide comprising any one of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Also provided are the oligonucleotides consisting of the nucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Each of the disclosed oligonucleotides is a probe or a primer. Also provided are mixtures of primers and probes and for use in RT-PCR and primary PCT reactions disclosed herein. Provided are methods for the specific detection of several mutations in HIV simultaneously or sequentially. Mutations in the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV can be detected using the methods described herein.

Abstract: Methods, kits and devices for detecting antineoplastic drug contamination of a surface are provided according to aspects of the present invention. According to aspects of the invention, methods for detecting antineoplastic drug contamination of a surface include providing a wetting solution compatible with the antineoplastic drug and formulated to promote release of the drug from the surface to be assayed; providing a solid matrix for reversible absorption of the antineoplastic drug; contacting the solid matrix with the wetting solution, generating an assay matrix; contacting the assay matrix and the surface, generating a surface sample; contacting the surface sample with a volume of wetting solution, generating a fluid test sample; and quantifying the antineoplastic drug in the fluid test sample by lateral flow assay to produce an assay result, thereby detecting antineoplastic drug contamination of the surface.

Abstract: Methods of producing a pathogen with reduced replicative fitness are disclosed, as are attenuated pathogens produced using the methods. In particular examples, the method includes deoptimizing one or more codons in a coding sequence, thereby reducing the replicative fitness of the pathogen. Methods of using the attenuated pathogens as immunogenic compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are recombinant RVF viruses comprising deletions in one or more viral virulence genes, such as NSs and NSm. The recombinant RVF viruses, generated using a plasmid-based reverse genetics system, can be used as vaccines to prevent infection of RVF virus in livestock and humans. As described herein, the recombinant RVF viruses grow to high titers, provide protective immunity following a single injection and allow for the differentiation between vaccinated animals and animals infected with wild-type RVF virus.

Abstract: Methods of detecting influenza, including differentiating between type and subtype are disclosed, for example to detect, type, and/or subtype an influenza infection. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of an influenza virus, is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. The presence of the influenza virus nucleic acid indicates the presence of influenza virus. Determining whether the influenza virus nucleic acid is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between an influenza specific probe, influenza type specific probe, and/or subtype specific probe and an influenza nucleic acid. Probes and primers for the detection, typing and/or subtyping of influenza virus are also disclosed. Kits and arrays that contain the disclosed probes and/or primers also are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions including primers and probes, which are capable of interacting with the disclosed nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acids encoding the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV as disclosed herein. Thus, provided is an oligonucleotide comprising any one of the nucleotide sequences set for in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Also provided are the oligonucleotides consisting of the nucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Each of the disclosed oligonucleotides is a probe or a primer. Also provided are mixtures of primers and probes and for use in RT-PCR and primary PCR reactions disclosed herein. Provided are methods for the specific detection of several mutations in HIV simultaneously or sequentially. Mutations in the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV can be detected using the methods described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for identifying flavivirus cross-reactive epitopes. Also provided are flavivirus E-glycoprotein cross-reactive epitopes and flavivirus E-glycoprotein cross-reactive epitopes having reduced or ablated cross-reactivity (and polypeptides comprising such epitopes), as well as methods of using these molecules to elicit an immune response against a flavivirus and to detect a flaviviral infection.

Abstract: A process for detecting Neisseria meningitidis nucleic acid in a sample is provided including producing an amplification product by amplifying Neisseria meningitidis nucleotide sequence of the sodC gene or mRNA using a forward primer of SEQ ID NO: 1, and a reverse primer of SEQ ID NO: 2, and detecting the amplification product to detect Neisseria meningitidis in the sample. Also provided are reagents and methods for detecting and distinguishing Neisseria meningitidis from other infectious agents. A kit is provided for detecting and quantifying Neisseria meningitidis in a sample.

Abstract: Described herein are recombinant RVF viruses comprising deletions in one or more viral virulence genes, such as NSs and NSm. The recombinant RVF viruses, generated using a plasmid-based reverse genetics system, can be used as vaccines to prevent infection of RVF virus in livestock and humans. As described herein, the recombinant RVF viruses grow to high titers, provide protective immunity following a single injection and allow for the differentiation between vaccinated animals and animals infected with wild-type RVF virus.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to the isolation and identification of the primate T-lymphotropic viruses, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4. The diversity of HTLVs was investigated among central Africans reporting contact with NHP blood and body fluids through hunting, butchering, and keeping primate pets. Herein it is shown that this population is infected with a variety of HTLVs, including two retroviruses; HTLV-4 is the first member of a novel phylogenetic lineage that is distinct from all known HTLVs and STLVs; HTLV-3 falls within the genetic diversity of STLV-3, a group that has not previously been seen in humans. The present disclosure also relates to vectors and vaccines for use in humans against infection and disease. The disclosure further relates to a variety of bioassays and kits for the detection and diagnosis of infection with and diseases caused by HTLV-3 and HTLV-4 and related viruses.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention presents the isolation, characterization and synthesis of oligosaccharides of Bacillus anthracis. Also presented are antibodies that bind to such saccharide moieties and various methods of use for such saccharide moieties and antibodies.

Abstract: Methods for detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. are disclosed. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of one or more of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. Determining whether the M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, or Legionella spp. nucleic acid is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between a M. pneumoniae probe (such as a CARDS toxin probe), a C. pneumoniae probe (such as a ArgR probe), or a Legionella spp. probe (such as a SsrA probe) and a nucleic acid in a sample. Also disclosed are probes and primers for the detection of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and Legionella spp., and kits that contain the disclosed probes and/or primers.

Abstract: This application provides photoinduced electron transfer (PET) nucleic acid molecules that can be used detect and amplify nucleic acid molecules, such as target nucleic acid molecules. These PET tags can be attached to the 5?-end of a target sequence-specific primer, thereby generating a PET primer. In particular examples, a PET tag includes a 5?-labeled nucleotide that can be quenched by at least two consecutive Gs within the tag sequence, and is unquenched when the PET tag hybridizes with its complementary nucleic acid molecule. Also disclosed are methods of using PET primers in nucleic acid amplification, such as real-time PCR.

Abstract: Described herein are recombinant rabies viruses encoding rabies virus glycoprotein and at least one heterologous glycoprotein from another lyssavirus, such as Mokola virus, Lagos bat virus and/or West Caucasian bat virus. In particular embodiments, the recombinant rabies virus includes two or three heterologous lyssavirus glycoproteins. The disclosed recombinant rabies viruses can be used as pan-lyssavirus vaccines to provide protection against lyssaviruses that cause rabies.

Abstract: Processes for the serotype specific detection and identification of one or more Salmonella serotypes are provided. A family of specific primers and probes are provided that allow screening of biological or environmental samples for robust, rapid, and reproducible detection and identification of one or more Salmonella serotypes in the sample.