Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides are prepared using novel nucleic acids with transcription promoter activity. The recombinant cells containing said nucleic acids are described. A novel method for preparing antigens or antigen fragments, in particular bacterial toxins, preferably Clostridum toxins, for preparing immunogenic and/or vaccine compositions is also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a suppository based vaccine delivery system for immunizing against urogenital and anorectally transmitted infectious disease in humans and animals and a method for treating the same. More particularly, this invention is directed to a suppository based vaccine delivery system for the prophylaxis against or treatment of urogenital or anorectal transmitted infectious diseases, such as from viral or microbial pathogens.

Abstract: Streptococcus proteins and polynucleotides encoding them are disclosed. Said proteins are antigenic and therefore useful vaccine components for the prophylaxis or therapy of streptococcus infection in animals. Also disclosed are recombinant methods of producing the protein antigens as well as diagnostic assays for detecting streptococcus bacterial infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antigens that stimulate protective antibodies against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Also disclosed herein are proteins encoded by cssA and cssB genes as well as constructs containing the genes and methods of using thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lactic microorganism, method for preparation and uses thereof. Particularly, the present invention relates to novel Lactobacillus paracasei strain (Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei CSK 01) which is prepared by the process comprising the steps: (1) administering lactic bacteria derived from gastric mucus of pig to patients of gastritis and enteritis; (2) separating lactic bacteria from the patients' feces again after their complete recovery; and (3) identifying the bacteria strain by performing 16S rRNA sequencing and RAPD polymerase chain reaction. The Lactobacillus strain of the present invention can attach to and proliferate on gastric and intestinal mucosa, resist to acidic and bilious conditions outstandingly and have excellent antibacterial properties. Therefore, the Lactobacillus strain and its antibacterial substance can be utilized widely to develop new drugs, functional food, health promoting additives and the like.

Abstract: This invention is directed to preparation and expression of synthetic genes encoding polypeptides containing protective epitopes of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). The invention is also directed to production of immunogenic peptides encoded by the synthetic genes, as weel as recovery and purification of the immunogenic peptides from recombinant organisms. The invention is also directed to methods of vaccination against botulism using the expressed peptides.

Abstract: A method and composition for the passive immunization of patients infected with or susceptible to infection from Staphylococcus bacteria such as S. aureus and S. epidermidis infection is provided that includes the selection or preparation of a donor plasma pool with high antibody titers to carefully selected Staphylococcus adhesins or MSCRAMMs, or fragments or components thereof, or sequences with substantial homology thereto. The donor plasma pool can be prepared by combining individual blood or blood component samples which have higher than normal titers of antibodies to one or more of the selected adhesins or other proteins that bind to extracellular matrix proteins, or by administering carefully selected proteins or peptides to a host to induce the expression of desired antibodies, and subsequently recovering the enhanced high titer serum or plasma pool from the treated host.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Enterobacter cloacae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing inflammation in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of cholera toxin subunit B. The present invention also provides a method of decreasing the activity of interferon gamma in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of cholera toxin subunit B. Further provided is a method of decreasing the activity of IL-12 in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of cholera toxin subunit B. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing a Th1 T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of cholera toxin subunit B.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for enriching the presence of H. pylori NAP in a mixture of proteins. The process involves salting-out other proteins. NAP has been found to remain soluble at ammonium sulphate concentrations of 80% and above. The process may involve the additional step of metal chelate chromatography. The combination of salting-out and metal chelate chromatography results in very pure NAP. The NAP may have the same sequence as NAP naturally occurring in H. pylori and is free from sequences typically associated with recombinant protein production. The processes and NAP of the invention can be used in diagnostic and therapeutic products and processes.

Abstract: The invention provides mutant forms of pore-forming toxins. These mutant toxins may be used in vaccines for the prevention of bacterial infection. Additionally, dominant negative mutants may be administered as therapeutics for the treatment of bacterial infection.

Abstract: Polyclonal antibodies can be produced that reacts with recombinant EPO and its degradation products but not with native EPO. This antibody precipitation can be used to identify those glycopeptides that are uniquely reactive. These glycopeptides can be produced on preparative scale and used in the production of monoclonal antibodies which are screened against the original EPO and glycopeptides to select antibodies reactive to the specific glycopeptides an recombinant EPO but not to native human EPO. The monoclonal antibodies so selected are incorporated in a conventional ELISA and used to monitor urine and other bodily samples taken from athletes, either human or animal, and patients for presence and level of recombinant peptides or proteins. Alternatively, the polyclonal antibody can be used directly to produce ELISA tests.

Abstract: The DNA of the invention are characterised in that they concern the whole or part of genes, with their reading frame, to be found in Neisseria meningitidis, but not in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or in Neisseria lactamica except the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the polysaccharide capsule, frp A, frp C, opc, por A, rotamase the sequence IC1106, IgA protease, pilline, pilC, transferrin binding proteins and opacity proteins. The invention also concerns the polypeptides corresponding to these DNA and the antibodies directed against these polypeptides. It is applicable in the prevention and the detection of meningococcus induced infections and meningitis.

Abstract: Bacteria and in particular pathogenic bacteria are treated in a manner which alters the bacteria's native level or activity of DNA methyltransferase (Dam). The alteration results in a change in the bacteria's native level of methylation of adenine in a GATC tetranucleotide which inhibits virulence of the bacteria. Thus, compounds which inhibit proliferation of bacteria are useful in treating bacterial infections.

Abstract: A host is immunized against infection by a strain of Chlamydia by initial administration of an attenuated bacteria harbouring a nucleic acid encoding a Chlamydia protein followed by administration of a Chlamydia protein in ISCOMs. This procedure enables a high level of protection to be achieved.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides that encode the MurC protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Purified and isolated MurC recombinant proteins are also provided. Nucleic acid sequences which encode functionally active MurC proteins are described. Assays for the identification of modulators of the of expression of murC and inhibitors of the activity of MurC, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for the prevention of lactic acidosis in a vertebrate, said vaccine comprising at least one isolated microorganism, or fragment or fragments thereof, wherein said microorganism is capable of producing lactic acid within the gut of said vertebrate, and wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of: Clostridium-like species, Prevotella-like species, Bacteroides-like species, Enterococcus-like species, Selenomonas species, non-dextran slime producing Streptococcus species and non-slime producing lactic acid bacterial isolates.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an immunogenic strain useful for producing a vaccine against Coccidiosis comprises the cycle of infecting at least one first group of specific pathogen-free donor birds with oocysts from an Eimeria species. Blood is then collected from these donor birds, and is then used to infect a second group of specific pathogen-free birds. Oocysts are collected from the second group of birds. These oocysts are then multiplicated to complete the cycle. The cycle is then repeated using the multiplicated oocysts. After a total of about three cycles, a final antigen may be harvested and utilized as a source to generate oocysts for a vaccine.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and arthrosis characterized by determining the concentration of osteoclastgenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) in humor. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing equally both of monomer type and dimer type of OCIF. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing selectively dimer type of OCIF. And to provide an assay kit for determination of OCIF concentration comprising the aforementioned two antibodies recognizing different epitope of OCIF and having high affinity showing dissociation constant of less than 2×10?7 M with antigen. It is useful for a method of diagnosing metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and arthrosis or for an assay reagent for research thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides attenuated live cultures of the pathogenic protozoan parasite, Neospora, and live vaccines against neosporosis prepared therefrom which are useful in the prevention of clinical disease and abortion in mammals.