Abstract: An immunogenic composition comprising a fusion protein-polysaccharide conjugate consisting of a polysaccharide (PS) or pneumococcal bacterial cell wall polysaccharide (CWPS) conjugated to X:PdT where PdT represents the nonhemolytic variant of pneumolysin and X represents an antigenic peptide or protein of interest is provided. The immunity to X is synergistically enhanced by the fusion conjugate. Methods of protecting a subject from pneumococcal colonization or disease by administering an immunogenic composition including a fusion protein (PsaA:PdT) containing truncated PsaA and the nonhemolytic variant of pneumolysin (PdT) conjugated with CWPS (PsaA:PdT-CWPS) is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of outer membrane vesicles (OMV) and their uses. More particularly the present invention provides OMV obtained from a bacterium being an ompA mutant and/or a mutant in one or more components of the TolPal complex and presenting a heterologous antigen on its surface. The heterologous antigen is selected from the group consisting of Chlamydia trachomatis CT823, CT681, CT372, CT443, CT043, CT733, CT279, CT601 and CT153 for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing vaccines, including methods wherein whole organism vaccines are provided with limited replication abilities, thereby increasing vaccine safety and efficacy, through the use of non-natural, unnatural, or non-naturally encoded amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to molecules such as peptides, polypeptides and proteins which interact immunologically with T lymphocytes in subjects having Bermuda grass allergy and genetic sequences encoding same. These molecules are preferentially immunointeractive with T cells in subjects having a Bermuda grass pollen allergy. The molecules of the present invention are useful in the development of diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic agents for conditions characterized by an aberrant, inappropriate or otherwise unwanted immune response to Bermuda grass pollen or derivative or homolog thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing vaccines, including methods wherein whole organism vaccines are provided with limited replication abilities, thereby increasing vaccine safety and efficacy, through the use of non-natural, unnatural, or non-naturally encoded amino acids.

Abstract: A method, system, and kit are provided for diagnosing L. intracellularis infection or exposure in a subject. The method includes purifying whole L. intracellularis from host cells and host debris produced in or on a suitable medium and adhering the purified whole L. intracellularis on a suitable material to form an antigen substrate for determining whether a subject produces L. intracellularis-specific antibodies against the antigen to thereby indicate L. intracellularis exposure or infection in the subject. The kit includes purified whole L. intracellularis produced from host cells and host debris adhered to a suitable material to form an antigen substrate adapted for screening serum from a subject. A method for diagnosing L. intracellularis exposure or infection in a subject includes acquiring a serum sample from a subject, introducing the serum sample to an antigen substrate followed by detecting a presence of L. intracellularis-specific antibodies in the serum.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of microbial infections and for the enhancement of resistance to infection. The disclosure includes administration of an effective amount of an E. coli LpfA antigen to enhance the immune system to prevent infections that cause, e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases, bovine mastitis and metritis. The disclosure also includes methods for diagnosing microbial infection and conditions associated with microbial infection by detecting an E. coli LpfA polypeptide or nucleic acid.

Abstract: Aqueous solution containing at least 300 mg/l of hydrophobin and at least 0.3 mg/l of antifoam, wherein the antifoam/hydrophobin weight ratio is below 0.2, preferably below 0.15, more preferably below 0.1.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleotide sequence and other constructs used for expression of novel recombinant P. falciparum circumsporozoite proteins in bacterial cells such as E. coli. Processes are provided for producing a soluble recombinant P. falciparum CSP from E. coli. Methods to produce a human-grade, highly immunogenic anti-malaria vaccine based on CSP are shown. The novel recombinant P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein by itself or in combination with other malaria antigens or adjuvants can form the basis of an effective malaria vaccine.

Abstract: A reagent is provided for the detection of an exotoxin protein produced by a beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria suspected of being present in a host biological fluid collected from a subject. An enzyme inhibitor is present to inhibit rogue protein modification of the substrate to prevent a false positive result of the color change. A kit is provided that is readily usable by an untrained user and merely requires that an element of the kit be contacted with a biological sample and thereafter no further actions are required by the user before a discernable color change is observed with visible or UV light and a positive/negative results reference card.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions comprising microparticles with adsorbed toxoid antigen and/or polysaccharide-containing antigen are disclosed. The immunogenic microparticle compositions comprise (a) polymer microparticles comprising a biodegradable polymer; (b) an antigen adsorbed to the microparticles selected from (i) a toxoid antigen, such as a tetanus toxoid, a diphtheria toxoid, or a combination thereof, and/or (ii) a polysaccharide containing antigen, such as a Hib polysaccharide antigen, a Hib conjugate antigen comprising polysaccharide and polypeptide regions, a meningococcal polysaccharide antigen, a meningococcal conjugate antigen comprising polysaccharide and polypeptide regions, a pneumococcal polysaccharide antigen, and a pneumococcal conjugate antigen comprising polysaccharide and polypeptide regions or a combination thereof; and (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides from Plasmodium and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention further relates to compositions comprising the polypeptides and their use in the treatment and prevention of malaria.

Abstract: An injectable amino-acid composition acts naturally to fuel collagen synthesis, which retards aging and helps to clear cellular decay while accelerating the cell division that promotes healthy, younger looking skin. The amino-acid composition includes carnosine. The composition is injected into the dermis of patients. The composition can be used in conjunction with botulinum toxin and fillers to enhance their effectiveness and extend their usefulness.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte nanoparticle compositions for biomedical applications are provided comprising at least two carrier domains comprising multivalent ionic domains and an agent exhibiting biological activity when contained within the nanoparticle or on the nanoparticle surface. The multivalent ionic domains may be contained in two separate molecules or in separate but linked domains of a single molecule. The nanoparticle optionally can further comprise an exposed targeting ligand and/or protective surface. The nanoparticle can be contacted to cells or administered directly to an animal for biomedical applications including therapeutics and immune response. The nanoparticle may alternatively be comprised of a carrier material capable of delivering various medically important antigens as vaccine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic composition and method of the immunogenic composition for the production and administration of a passive immunoprophylactic against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The immunoprophylactic is made collecting anti-adhesin in the colostrum or milk of vaccinated domesticated animals such as cows. The immunoprophylactic is administered either as a dietary supplement or in capsular or tablet form.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence, whereby the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is at least 80% identical to a stretch of consecutive amino acids of the region of HPGGT comprising an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ. ID. No. 1, whereby such region is defined by (a) amino acid positions 150 to 200 of the amino acid sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 1, or (b) amino acid positions 410 to 480 of the amino acid sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 1, and whereby the polypeptide is suitable to elicit an immune response which is capable of inhibiting the catalytic activity of HPGGT.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of the immune system, in particular to strengthening the immune system of the elderly. One embodiment of the present invention relates to the use of a food product enriched with sialic acid for the preparation of a composition to strengthen the immune system.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to the methods for the induction of immunity and prevention of diarrhea resulting from Escherichia coli. The inventive subject matter also relates to the use Escherichia coli adhesins as immunogens and to the construction of conformationally stability and protease resistant Escherichia coli adhesin constructs useful for inducing immunity to Escherichia coli pathogenic bacteria. The methods provide for the induction of B-cell mediated immunity and for the induction of antibody capable of inhibiting the adherence and colonization of Escherichia coli including enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, to human cells.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for delivering a bioactive moiety comprising at least one non-natural component into a cell cytosol of an eukaryotic cell. The bioactive moiety is linked to an A component of a bacterial toxin, a functional wild-type or modified fragment thereof, or an A component surrogate or mimetic. For delivery, the cell is contacted with the linked bioactive moiety and a corresponding B component of the bacterial toxin or a functional fragment thereof.

Abstract: A helical fine structure of the present invention is characterized by including: a phytoplankton having a helical shape and selected from a group of cyanobacteria called Spirulina; and a surface modification layer formed on the phytoplankton. The surface modification layer includes at least one metal plating layer. Thereby, the helical fine structure can be utilized as an electric-wave shield or an absorber. Moreover, a method for producing the helical fine structure is characterized in that a prestep of a step of forming the surface modification layer on the phytoplankton having a helical shape includes a washing step with an organic solvent to remove an outer membrane from a surface of the phytoplankton.