Abstract: Protein G variants are disclosed. These protein G variants have the immunoglobulin binding properties of protein G. Also disclosed is the preparation of the protein G variants by expression from hosts transformed with a gene encoding the protein G variants.

Abstract: There is disclosed an antigenic peptide that comprises at least 15 amino acids having the sequence Ala Glu Pro Lys X Ala Glu Pro Lys X Ala Glu Pro Lys X, wherein X is Pro or Ser. This peptide is useful in an ELISA assay to detect antibodies specific to T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease. This peptide is further useful in a vaccine composition for immunizing an individual to prevent Chagas disease upon exposure to T. cruzi.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for the isolation of a nucleotide sequence which codes for a protein having a molecular weight of about 64,000 daltons, which is located on the outer membrane of N. meningitidis, as well as with the recombinant DNA obtained therefrom, which is used for the transformation of a host microorganism. The technical object pursued with the invention is the identification of a nucleotide sequence coding for a highly conserved and common protein for the majority of pathogenic Neisseria strains, the production of this protein with a high level of purity and in commercially useful amounts using the recombinant way, so that it can be used in diagnostic methods and vaccine preparations with a broad immunoprotection spectrum.

Abstract: A live vaccine comprising an avirulent, invasive and immunogenic strain of a fish pathogenic bacterial species is used for immunization of fish against infectious diseases caused by fish pathogens by immersion of the fish into a suspension of the vaccine strain. Suitable strains for the preparation of said vaccine include Vibrio anguillarum strains DSM 4506, DSM 4507 and DSM 4508.

Abstract: A Mycobacterium bovis BCG polypeptide having a molecular mass of about 64 kD was found to be useful as an immunogen inducing resistance to autoimmune arthritis and similar autoimmune diseases.The invention relates to methods of treatment and diagnosis of autoimmune diseases especially arthritic conditions, in which said polypeptide is used.The invention also relates to a polypeptide comprising the epitope essential for this activity. The polypeptide has the formula ##STR1## Further, the invention relates to polypeptides showing sequential homology with said polypeptide, and to derivatives and multimers thereof. Also, microorganisms expressing the polypeptides either as such or as part of a fusion protein or as a multimer, form part of the invention.Finally, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic compositions and test kits comprising a compound according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine suitable for the prophylaxis and control respectively of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae, advantageously of all the serotypes of H. pleuropneumoniae, which vaccine is based on an effective content of a mixture of extracellular proteinaceous material derived from the culture medium of strains of at least two different serotypes of H. pleuropneumoniae preferably derived from the culture medium of at least one H. pleuropneumoniae strain selected from the group of serotypes 1,5,6,9 and 11 on the one hand and from the culture medium of at least one H. pleuropneumoniae strain selected from the group of serotypes 2, 3, 4 and 8 on the other hand.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a vaccine for the protection of poultry against Haemophilus paragallinarum infection.Chickens vaccinated with a membraneous fraction of H. paragallinarum cells comprising a 38 kD outer-membrane protein are well protected against infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a characteristic amino acid sequence derived from the Plasmodium falciparum antigen GLURP, a polypeptide which is recognized by an antibody raised against or reactive with a polypeptide comprising said characteristic amino acid sequence and/or an antibody reactive with native GLURP, a nucleic acid molecule (DNA-fragment) encoding said polypeptide, an expression vector carrying the nucleic acid molecule, an organism expressing said nucleic acid molecule so as to produce said polypeptide, a monoclonal antibody directed against said polypeptide, a diagnostic agent comprising said antibody or said polypeptide for use in assaying Plasmodium falciparum infection and thus diagnosing malaria, and the use of said antibody or said polypeptide for therapeutic purposes, e.g. as a component in a vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides which correspond in at least one specific epitope with a plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigen having a molecular weight of about 41,000 Daltons, and a process for their production. The invention further provides immunogenic compositions which contain such a polypeptide and a suitable adjuvant, a DNA sequence which codes for such a polypeptide, replicable microbial vectors which contain such a DNA sequence, microorganisms which contain such a replicable vector and antibodies against a polypeptide of the invention. The invention still further provides processes for the production of the immunogenic compositions, the microorganisms and the antibodies and for the use of the polypeptides and the immunogenic compositions for the immunization of mammals against malaria.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with vaccines effective in protecting poultry against E. coli septicaemia, which contain or can cause the production of fimbriae of the F11 type or an immunogenic section thereof, or antibodies against these.

Abstract: A purified, isolated DNA sequence encoding human bactericidal permeability-increasing protein and biologically-active fragments thereof is provided.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides constituted by at least two repeating, consecutive units of asparaginyl-proline (Asn-Pro).sub.n sequence, are described.The peptides are powerful immunogens, capable of inducing in laboratory animals the formation of a high concentration of antibodies capable of reacting both with the (Asn-Pro).sub.n peptides, and with the immunodominant epitope of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum.The peptides, which can be obtained in a pure form by chemical synthesis, are particularly useful for preparing antimalarial vaccines and diagnostic kits for the determination of malaria in man.