Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using fungal mycobiome as a means of treating and/or diagnosing diseases in a subject. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease based on the composition of fungal strains present in the gut of a subject, and treating the subject by administering a probiotic biotherapy. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of diagnosing a severe form of ulcerative colitis by detecting the presence of a deficiency in dectin-1 expression in s. fibuligera in the gut of a subject.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition including dead cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus LB strain as an active ingredient for treating or preventing an allergic disease, and may be used to treat and prevent IgE-mediated allergic diseases and non-IgE-mediated allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria, and pollinosis by reducing the total content of IgE in the blood.

Abstract: We describe a method of monitoring the state of a cell, tissue, organ or organism. The method comprises establishing, for a sample of microparticles from the cell, tissue, organ or organism, a ratio. The ratio is of a selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise GM1 gangliosides, preferably which bind to Cholera Toxin B (CTB) (“GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide”) to the selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise exposed phosphotidylserine, preferably which bind to Annexin V (“Annexin V microparticle polypeptide”). The GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide to Annexin V microparticle polypeptide ratio so established may be indicative of the state of the cell, tissue, organ or organism.

Abstract: The invention provides novel nucleic acid polymerases from strains GK24 and RQ-1 of Thermus thermophilus, and nucleic acids encoding those polymerases, as well as methods for using the polymerases and nucleic acids.

Abstract: Several new peptides have been developed that show effectiveness as vaccines against candidiasis and other fungal diseases. A new conjugate vaccine of a ?-mannotriose linked to a fungal peptide linked to tetanus toxin has been shown to be effective as a vaccine with or without use of an adjuvant. In addition, a monoclonal antibody has been identified that offers protection from a Candida infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant Listeria strains comprising an angiogenic factor, recombinant polypeptides comprising an angiogenic factor operatively linked to a polypeptide comprising a PEST-like sequence, recombinant nucleotide molecules encoding same, related vaccines, and immunogenic and therapeutic methods utilizing same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides that may be used in whole or in combination for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods involving detection of antibodies contained in the blood of non-human primates that arise from an infection from M. tuberculosis or vaccination using an epitope specific inoculation. More particularly, the present invention provides a means to distinguish early, active, and latent M. tuberculosis infection. More particularly, the present invention describes an immunological diagnostic mechanism for the detection of M. tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant phages, a Wip1 p23 receptor binding protein and a Wip1 p24 receptor binding protein that bind to Bacillus anthracis. The disclosure further provides methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: A liposome containing a regulatory cell ligand such as ?-galactosyl ceramide or ?-galactosyl ceramide is employed as the active ingredient of a drug for preventing or treating immune diseases etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition having the activity of degrading the cell wall of a Mycobacterium species comprising: (a) a first fusion protein including (i) a domain with a first enzymatic activity, the enzymatic activity being at least one or more of the following: N-acetyl-b-D-muramidase (lysozyme, lytic transglycosylase), N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase, N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase, L-alanoyl-D-glutamate (LD) endopeptidase, c-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (DL) peptidase, D-Ala-m-DAP (DD) endopeptidase, or m-DAP-m-DAP (LD) endopeptidase, (ii) at least one peptide stretch fused to the N- or C-terminus of the domain with the first enzymatic activity; and (iii) a protein transduction domain (PTD) being at the N- or C-terminus of the first fusion protein; and (b) a second fusion protein including (i) a domain with a second enzymatic activity, the enzymatic activity being at least one or more of the following: lipolytic activity, cutinase, mycolarabinogalactanesterase, or alpha/beta hy

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant C. difficile toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB) and binary toxin A (CDTa) proteins comprising specifically defined mutations relative to the native toxin sequence that substantially reduce or eliminate toxicity. The invention also relates to vaccines and immunogenic compositions comprising these recombinant toxins, as well as combinations of these toxins with binary toxin B (CDTb), which are capable of providing protection against C. difficile infection and/or the effects thereof. The invention also relates to methods of inducing an immune response to C. difficile comprising administering the vaccines and immunogenic compositions described herein to a patient. The invention also encompasses methods of expressing recombinant C. difficile toxin A and toxin B and CDTa mutants and CDTb in recombinant expression systems.

Abstract: The present invention regards use of a bacterial superantigen for administration onto the mucous membrane of a domestic non-human mammal for the prevention of inflammatory disorder, such as allergies, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Methods for aiding in the diagnosis of disorders including, but not limited to, PDDs (Pervasive Development Disorders), Dysautonomic disorders, Parkinson's disease and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In one aspect, a diagnosis method comprises analyzing a stool sample of an individual for the presence of a biological marker (or marker compound) comprising one or more pathogens, which provides an indication of whether the individual has, or can develop, a disorder including, but not limited to, a PDD, Dysautonomia, Parkinsons disease and SIDS. Preferably, the presence of one or more pathogens is determined using a stool immunoassay to determine the presence of antigens in a stool sample, wherein such antigens are associated with one or more pathogens including, but not limited to, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. histolytica, C. difficile, Adenovirus, Rotavirus or H. pylori.

Abstract: The present application discloses an immunogenic composition comprising a Hib saccharide conjugate, at least one additional bacterial, for example N. meningitidis, saccharide conjugate(s), and a further antigen selected from the group consisting of whole cell pertussis and hepatitis B surface antigen, wherein the saccharide dose of the Hib saccharide conjugate is less than 5 ?g.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for preparing a vaccine composition comprising at least aluminum oxyhydroxide (AlOOH), and at least the hepatitis B surface antigen and the Haemophilus influenzae type b antigen. According to the invention, the hepatitis B surface antigen is kept adsorbed on the AlOOH, whereas the Hib antigen is kept nonadsorbed. To this end: the hepatitis B surface antigen is adsorbed onto AlOOH in order to obtain an AlOOH/HBsAg complex, then—said AlOOH/HBsAg complex is mixed with the Hib antigen in the presence of cationic amino acids at a concentration of at least 100 mg/l, and of phosphate ions at a concentration of 35 to 45 mMol/l.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea and diarrheal related diseases and disorders in both animals and humans. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the treatment of said diarrhea and diarrheal related diseases and disorders with a vaccine. In still further embodiments, the invention relates to the treatment of constipation using the disclosed methods and compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a composition that is very rich in squalene produced by fermentation of micro-organisms. The method is characterized in that it comprises a purification step selected from the group including: supercritical CO2 extraction in a multi-stage counter-current fractionation column with extract reflux, and short-path molecular distillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for characterizing the antibiotic resistance of a microorganism, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a reference mass spectrum of an antimicrobial compound, its enzymatic modification product, its molecular target, or of a substrate compound of a its modifying enzyme; (b) exposing a microorganism, a cell lysate thereof, or a growth medium supernatant thereof, to the antimicrobial compound or the substrate compound in aqueous liquid to thereby provide an exposed sample; (c) acquiring a mass spectrum of the exposed sample; (d) comparing the mass spectrum acquired in step c) with the reference mass spectrum of step (a), and (e) determining from the comparison whether modification of the antimicrobial compound, its modification product or its molecular target or of the substrate has occurred following the exposure, and establishing that the microorganism is potentially resistant to the antimicrobial compound when the modification is observed.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions against Campylobacter and methods for using the immunogenic composition to generate an immune response against Campylobacter and/or reduce intestinal colonization by Campylobacter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing Lyme disease in a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample from said subject, (b) contacting said sample with a source of Borrelia antigens and (c) determining the expression level of a pro-inflammatory cytokine in said sample at the end of step (b).