Abstract: An isolated, antigenic polypeptide comprises a segment having at least fifty amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of the segment is present in N. meningitidis, and is different from, but substantially homologous with, the amino acid sequence of a segment of a member of the hemolysin family of toxins.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with vaccination of mammals against GnRH. The vaccine comprises a GnRH peptide conjugate to E. coli fimbrial-filaments and elicits an immune response against GnRH.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane vesicle (OMV) compositions, to selected antigenic proteins from the outer membranes of M. catarrhalis which have a variety of useful properties, and to monoclonal antibodies against these proteins. Particular "Outer Membrane Proteins" (OMPs) of the invention are characterized as having molecular weights of about 30 kD, 80 kD (also termed CopB protein) and between about 200 and 700 kD (HMWP antigen). Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies directed against these proteins confers protection against homologous and heterologous Moraxella catarrhalis strains in animal models, and active immunization with outer membrane vesicles also enhances pulmonary clearance of distinct M. catarrhalis strains. This demonstrates both the utility of antibodies in conferring passive immunity and the usefulness of OMPs, or variants thereof, in the preparation of vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine for the prevention and/or the treatment of infection by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, which vaccine contains at least an immunogenic part of at least one cytolytic protein of A. pleuropneumoniae produced by recombinant DNA, and detoxified derivatives thereof. Three of such cytolytic proteins are identified and a vaccine containing these, or parts or derivatives thereof, ensures protection against all known serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae. The cytolytic proteins are produced by inserting a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more of the proteins or parts thereof in a host cell, cultivating the host cell and recovering the proteins. another vaccine contains the genetic information for one or more of the cytolytic proteins, and a passive vaccine contains antibodies against these proteins. The invention further provides monoclonal antibodies and DNA probes for use in diagnostics.

Abstract: High molecular weight surface proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae which exhibit immunogenic properties and genes encoding the same are described. Specifically, genes coding for two immunodominant high molecular weight proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, have been cloned, expressed and sequenced, while genes coding for high molecular proteins HKW3 and HMW4 have been cloned, expressed and partially sequenced.

Abstract: Class of carrier molecules which when covalently linked to an immunogen enhances the host's immune response to that immunogen regardless of whether the complex of carrier and immunogen is administered parenterally, enterally, or orally to the host. In addition, processes are provided for production of the complexes, as well as hybrid DNA sequences encoding complexes, recombinant DNA molecules bearing the hybrid DNA sequences, transformant hosts and vaccines comprising the complexes as well as methods for production of the vaccine.

Abstract: New proteins and subunit antigens from P. haemolytica for use in stimulating immunity against respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, including shipping fever pneumonia, are disclosed. The subunit antigens include immunogenic amino acid sequences of P. haemolytica fimbrial protein, P. haemolytica plasmin receptor protein, and P. haemolytica 50K outer membrane protein and P. haemolytica leukotoxin. The antigens can be used in a vaccine composition, either alone or in combination. Also disclosed are methods of vaccination as well as methods of making the subunit antigens employed in the vaccines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a purified Helicobacter pylori vacuolating toxin and methods to use this toxin to produce protective antibodies against H. pylori infection. Antiserum to this antigen can be used to detect the toxin. Methods to detect anti-toxin antibodies determine the susceptibility of a patient to develop peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma, or other clinical consequences of H. pylori infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transmission-blocking vaccines against malaria. Vaccines of the present invention contain a recombinant Pfs25 Plasmodium falciparum protein produced by yeast cells and to yeast cells producing the protein. Mice and monkeys inoculated with the yeast-expressed Pfs25 of the present invention have developed antibodies with transmission-blocking activity. The present invention also relates to methods of preventing or treating malarial infections using the vaccines of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunogenic polysaccharide-H. influenzae adhesin protein conjugates, a purified H. influenzae adhesin protein and related proteins and polypeptides, DNA useful for producing the proteins, synthetic polyribosylribotol phosphate (PRP) oligosaccharides and intermediates useful for their synthesis, and methods of making and using these materials. The conjugates comprise a PRP fragment, preferably a synthetic oligosaccharide, coupled to an H. influenzae adhesin protein. The invention further comprises purified H. influenzae adhesin proteins and novel PRP oligosaccharides. The invention also comprises methods of producing these materials and using them in a vaccine to protect humans and other mammals against H. influenzae infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel protein of pathogenic forms of Neisseria, as well as genes which encode PilC, i.e., the pilC loci. DNA sequences of pilC genes are useful as probes to diagnose the presence of microorganisms containing type 4 pilin as well as permitting production of polypeptides which are in turn useful in diagnostic tests and/or as components of vaccines. The invention also provides antibodies directed against pilC epitopes. These antibodies are useful for diagnostic tests as well as therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine for immunizing poultry and other animals against infection by a gram-negative bacteria, and a method of immunizing an animal using the vaccine. The vaccine may contain purified siderophore receptor proteins derived from a single strain or species of gram-negative bacteria or other organism, which are cross-reactive with siderophores produced by two or more strains, species or genera of gram-negative bacteria. The invention further provides a process for isolating and purifying the siderophore receptor proteins, and for preparing a vaccine containing the proteins. Also provided is a method for diagnosing gram-negative sepsis.

Abstract: The invention relates to cloning of the gene for the toxoplasma GP28.5 anen. It also encompasses purified GP28.5 antigen preparations and antigenic polypeptides derived from said antigen, and their applications.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a protein having the immunological properties of Eimeria tenella which is reactive with a monoclonal antibody E. TEN 11P-2 raised against E. tenella sporozoites.The invention also relates to polypeptide fragments of this protein which can be used for immunization against E. tenella. These proteins and polypeptides can be prepared by isolation from E. tenella, by chemical synthesis or by recombinant DNA methods using the polynucleotides described herein or related sequences.

Abstract: A sensitive and specific antigen preparation for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in biological samples is disclosed. The preparation uses a range of antigens derived from size exclusion chromatography of detergent-solubilized H. pylori cells. Serological assays such as ELISA, latex agglutination, and rapid EIA assays utilizing the improved antigen preparation, and a kit for use in these serological assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: An antigen which, as its major immunizing component, comprises a determinant of an adhesin polypeptide or an immunogenically active subsequence thereof or a precursor therefor which is convertible to an immunogenically active form, antibodies against which determinant react with the adhesin polypeptide produced by pathogenic adhesin-forming bacteria which adhere to mammalian tissue, antibodies against such antigen, and DNA expressing, as a principal gene product thereof, such antigen.

Abstract: Immunogens derived from proteins isolatable from the L3 and L4 larval stages of nematodes parasitic in mammals, and including a protein of about 20.5 kD, are disclosed. The proteins of the invention are identified using biological materials verified to destroy or impair the parasitic nematode in an in vivo incubator. Cells, serum or fractions thereof obtained from immune natural hosts are validated in a method wherein a recoverable implant of the parasitic nematodes is used to assess the protective effect when these materials are provided passively to the animal incubator.

Abstract: The invention relates to acellular vaccines being effective against whooping cough and is based on a functional component of the fimbriae of Bordetella pertussis i.e. the actual adhesin molecule being a "minor" component in the fimbriae. The vaccines according to the invention have the advantage that both they may induce an effective immune respons against all B. pertussis strains and--most likely--also against Bordetella paratertussis being the second important causative agent of whooping cough. Further, the vaccines may also be used for veterinary applications, to protect against Bordetella bronchiseptica infections.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a polypeptide of Eimeria which can be used for the immunization of poultry against coccidiosis. Furthermore, the invention comprises a DNA fragment of Eimeria coding for said polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigenic proteins specific to Borrelia burgdorferi which have a molecular weight of 28 kDa or 39 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and are reactivity with Lyme borreliosis serum or fragments thereof and to the corresponding DNA. The proteins, especially the 39 kDa proteins (.alpha. and .beta.) can be used to diagnosis mammals previously or currently infected with the Lyme borreliosis causing agent.