Abstract: The current invention provides high-affinity antibodies to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PcrV protein that have reduced immunogenicity when administered to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of using compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, and magnets to isolate a pathogen from a body fluid sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for the labeling of two or more targets with different labels. Specifically, disclosed are compositions for biotin and the protection of biotin within multilabel assays which employ the biotin-biotin binding protein binding relationship for each distinct label in relation to targets such as nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies or cells. These multilabel assays are enabled through the use of biotin with desthiobiotin, orthogonal protecting schemes for biotin, or a combination of the approaches.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the targeted bacteriostatic and antibacterial agents and for treatment of sepsis caused by infectious diseases, such as bacterial and fungal diseases. In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for decreasing the levels of LPS in the circulation of an individual, e.g., a human patient with sepsis, e.g., gram negative septic shock. In one aspect, the invention is directed to chimeric proteins comprising the MD-2 polypeptide and an opsinizing agent, e.g., antibody Fc domains, or equivalent. In one aspect, the invention is directed to chimeric proteins comprising fragments or altered form of MD-2 polypeptide and an opsinizing agent, e.g., antibody Fc domains, or equivalent. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the chimeric polypeptides of the invention, and methods of making and using them, including methods for ameliorating or preventing sepsis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combination vaccines and/or the combined use of immunogenic compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cattle against microbiological infections, wherein the infections are caused by M. bovis and at least one further cattle relevant pathogen. The combination vaccine as described herein comprises at least one M. bovis antigen, preferably the attenuated, avirulent M. bovis as provided herewith and one or more further immunologically active components effective for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of infections caused by a further pathogen of cattle.

Abstract: This invention relates to adsorbents and methods for highly selective removal of anti-von Willebrand Factor-cleaving protease antibodies (“anti-vWF-cp-abs”) from human plasma using human von Willebrand Factor-cleaving protease (“hvWF-cp”) or fragments thereof as affinity ligands. The adsorbents can be used for treating disorders associated with the occurrence of anti-vWF-cp-abs in patients, such as thromboembolic diseases.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing an adsorbent for bacterial toxins, a method for removal of such toxins by adsorption, and an adsorber packed with said adsorbent. Provided are an adsorbent for bacterial toxins, which comprises a water-insoluble porous material having a mode of pore radius of 20 angstroms to 1,000 angstroms, a method for removal of bacterial toxins using said adsorbent, and an adsorber packed with said adsorbent.

Abstract: The invention provides adenoviral vectors comprising an adenoviral genome comprising heterologous antigen-encoding nucleic acid sequences, such as Plasmodium nucleic acid sequences, operably linked to promoters. The invention further provides a method of inducing an immune response against malaria in a mammal comprising administering the adenoviral vectors to the mammal.

Abstract: An affinity ligand-matrix conjugate of the structure Z-Spacer-[NX-A]m-NY-A-NK2 is useful for the isolation, separation, purification, characterization, identification or quantification of endotoxins in an aqueous system, wherein m is an integer of at least one; each A independently represents an optionally substituted linear, branched or cyclic saturated hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms; each X independently represents hydrogen or alkyl; Y is X or A-NX2; and Z is a support matrix attached to the ligand through an optional spacer arm (Spacer).

Abstract: The invention provides compositions (e.g., peptide compositions) useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens. The peptide compositions comprise polypeptide sequences comprising variants in the IR6 domain of the Borrelia VlsE protein. The invention also provides devices, methods, and kits comprising such peptide compositions and useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens and the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified Streptococcus pneumonia pneumolysm (PLY) proteins which lack hemolytic activity and can be used as immunogens in an immunogenic composition or vaccine against invasive pneumococcol diseases caused by S. pneumonia. The modified pneumolysm proteins comprise ammo acid substitutions at threonine 65, glycine 293 and cysteine 428 Nucleic acids, polypeptides encoded thereby, compositions containing the same, methods for using such nucleic acids, polypeptides and compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies which are highly specific for Bacillus spores. Also provided are peptides derived from those monoclonal antibodies. Both the antibodies and peptides are highly specific and can discriminate between spores of potentially lethal organisms such as Bacillus anthracis and other harmless but closely related bacilli and provide a very powerful tool in the construction of detection instruments as counter measures.

Abstract: A vaccine is provided wherein a polypeptide or combination of peptides from M. tuberculosis is administered to a subject to elicit an immune response. The polypeptide vaccine is administered as part of a prime-boost strategy with BCG vaccine to increase the immunoprotection in a subject such that prevention or elimination of disease is achieved. Finally, a pharmaceutical package is provided that encompasses a polypeptide vaccine for M. tuberculosis that when administered to a subject elicits immunoprotection.

Abstract: Schistosomiasis mansoni is caused by flukes called Schistosoma(es) that enters the human body through the skin in Schistosoma infested waters. The Schistosomes travel from the skin into human blood vessels where they mate, produce antigen containing eggs that travel from the blood vessels into the small intestines, where they are released in the human feces. Male and female Schistosome mates in human blood vessels, male Schistosomes secrete a protein called TGR ? protein to the Trk receptor sites on the females Schistosomes membranes. The process stimulates the formation of chemical SmInAct in female Schistosomes, a chemical necessary for the female Schistosomes to produce eggs. This novel technique describes new methods to inhibit Trk receptor sites on female Schistosome membranes using Trk inhibitor agent to prevent TGR ? proteins from binding to the Trk receptor sites. Thus, preventing SmInAct from being created in female Schistosomes, preventing production of eggs and Schistosomiasis.

Abstract: A peptide for inhibiting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 4, SEQ ID NO 55, SEQ ID NO 68, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO 70, SEQ ID NO 71, SEQ ID NO 72, SEQ ID NO 79, SEQ ID NO 82, SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 88, SEQ ID NO 91, SEQ ID NO 94, SEQ ID NO 97, SEQ ID NO 100, SEQ ID NO 103, SEQ ID NO 106, SEQ ID NO 109, SEQ ID NO 112, or SEQ ID NO 115. The peptide may comprise a delivery sequence such as a cationic peptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of combating leishmaniases. Said invention results from the isolation, from wild isolates of Leishmania major, of a protein-coding gene known as LmPDI which has two regions that are identical to the sequence (Cys-Gly-His-Cys) of the potential active site of the protein disulphide isomerase (PDI). The LmPDI protein is predominantly expressed in the most virulent isolates of the parasite. Said protein forms a novel therapeutic target for developing anti-leishmaniasis medicaments and a novel element that can be used in the composition of immunogenic, and possibly vaccinating, preparations which are intended to protect a human or animal host against Leishmania.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in vivo detection of a biofilm infection residing in a mammal, the method comprising (i) administering to the mammal a diagnostic-effective amount of a biofilm-specific probe, wherein the probe comprises a bio film-targeting moiety and a paramagnetic nanoparticle core; and (ii) imaging the mammal to detect the presence of the biofilm infection by observing the mammal using a magnetic resonance diagnostic technique after the biofilm-specific probe has been provided sufficient time to selectively bind to the bio film infection that may be present in the mammal. The invention also relates to methods of treatment of a bio film infection, and compositions and kits useful in the detection and/or treatment of bio film infections.

Abstract: A real-time method employing a portable peptide-containing potentiometric biosensor, can directly detect and/or quantify bacterial spores. Two peptides for specific recognition of B. subtilis and B. anthracis Sterne may be immobilized by a polysiloxane monolayer immobilization (PMI) technique. The sensors translate the biological recognition event into a potential change by detecting, for example, B. subtilis spores in a concentration range of 0.08-7.3×104 CFU/ml. The sensing method exhibited highly selective recognition properties towards Bacillus subtilis spores over other kinds of spores. The selectivity coefficients of the sensors for other kinds of spores are in the range of 0-1.0×10?5. The biosensor method not only has the specificity to distinguish Bacillus subtilis spores in a mixture of B. subtilis and B. thuringiensis (thur.) Kurstaki spores, but also can discriminate between live and dead B. subtilis spores. Furthermore, the sensing method can distinguish a Bacillus subtilis 1A700 from other B.

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori is closely associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Helicobacter pylori neutrophil-activating protein (HP-NAP), a virulence factor of Helicobacter pylori, plays an important role in pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Since HP-NAP has been proposed as a candidate vaccine against Helicobacter pylori infection, an efficient way to obtain pure HP-NAP needs to be developed. In the present invention, recombinant HP-NAP expressed in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli was purified through a single step of DEAE SEPHADEX ion-exchange chromatography with high purity. Also, purified recombinant HP-NAP was able to stimulate neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species. Thus, recombinant HP-NAP obtained from our Bacillus subtilis expression system and Escherichia coli expression system is functionally active.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, kits, and methods for inducing an immune response against disease. The dosage of antigen contained or utilized in the presently disclosed compositions, kits, and methods is substantially lower than dosages conventionally used in the field. The compositions, kits, and methods may be utilized to induce a cell-mediated response, such as a T-helper cell response, and/or a humoral response against a pathogen or a disease. In some embodiments, the compositions, kits, and methods may be utilized to induce preferentially a Th1 response versus other types of immune responses such as a Th2 response.