Abstract: A multi-component immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Such composition comprises at least two different antigens of Haemophilus influenzae, one of which is an adhesin. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae enhance the immune response in a host to a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein in such immunogenic compositions with one component not impairing the immunogenicity of the other. The Haemophilus vaccine may be combined with DTP component vaccines to provide a multi-valent component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: An immunovariant strain of Eimeria maxima was isolated. Vaccines incorporating the immunovariant strain are effective in eliciting immunological protection against coccidial infection.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for the identification, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of invasive cells using the laminin 5 gamma-2 chain protein or nucleic acid sequence, or antibodies thereto.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of iron misregulation diseases, including HFE polypeptides, agonists, and antagonists, and transferrin receptor agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique approach for the diagnosis and management of infections by Chlamydia species, particularly C. pneumoniae. The invention is based, in part, upon the discovery that a combination of agents directed toward the various stages of the chlamydial life cycle is effective in substantially reducing infection. Products comprising combination of antichlamydial agents, novel compositions and pharmaceutical packs are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of functional antibodies and the analysis of vaccine efficacy are described. In particular, the present invention provides opsonophagocytic assays. The assays are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different functional antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple colors and/or intensities.

Abstract: Isolated and purified Staphylococcus thioredoxin reductases (TrxB) are provided. Polynucleotides encoding the TrxBs, vectors and host cells containing such polynucleotides are also provided. In addition, antibodies reactive with the TrxBs are provided, as are methods of isolating the TrxBs, as well as methods for producing recombinant TrxBs, using TrxBs for screening compounds for TrxB-modulating activity, and detecting Staphylococcus in a test sample.

Abstract: A universal secretory signal originally derived from a piscine vitellogenin (Vtg) gene is inserted into various expression vectors for driving the secretion of the recombinant protein into the culture medium. This enhances the detection, quantification and downstream scaled-up purification of a recombinant protein of interest. The secretory signal system is very versatile, being conveniently and widely applicable to an array of heterologous host cells such as bacteria, yeast, insect, piscine, and mammalian cell lines (e.g., COS, CHO, NIH/3T3). The said secretory system is also applicable as a reporter vector for secretion of reporter proteins/enzymes, thus, enabling the detection of the reporter proteins (e.g., CAT, GFP) in the culture medium.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of TL-&ggr;, antibodies to TL-&ggr;, methods of screening for TL-&ggr; modulators using biologically active TL-&ggr;, and kits for screening for TL-&ggr; modulators.

Abstract: A method of vaccinating poultry by spraying the poultry with an effective amount of a live avirulent derivative of an enteropathogenic enterobacteria is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method by which UTI concentration can be measured easily with high precision and good reproducibility. The measurement is performed by adding free anti-UTI antibodies to a sample and measuring the degree of the resulting agglutination, for example, from the change in absorbance. As shown in FIG. 3, the UTI concentration and the degree of the agglutination (i.e. the change in absorbance) are correlated. The absorbance can be measured by using a general spectrophotometer, preferably at a wavelength of 300 to 400 nm. Polyethylene glycol is preferably added to the reaction solution as an agglutination accelerator. The polyethylene glycol preferably has an average molecular weight of 2,000 to 20,000, and the concentration of polyethylene glycol in the reaction solution is preferably in the range of 2 to 10 weight %.

Abstract: The horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda Factor C cDNA (CrFC21) has been cloned into a shuttle baculoviral vector and another vector suitable for expression in insect cells. The recombinant baculoviral DNA was then transfected into the insect cells for expression of recombinant Factor C. Recombinant Factor C was found to be immunoreactive and is capable of binding both free and bound/immobilized lipid A. It is enzymatically active when triggered by LPS. The rFC is probably of the two-chain form, being cleaved into the heavy and light chains after activation by Gram negative bacterial endotoxin. As low as 0.01 pg (0.001 ng/ml) of LPS was detectable by the rFC, thus, indicating its potentials as a novel generation of “limulus amoebocyte lysate.

Abstract: The invention is related to antibodies, particularly monoclonal antibodies, which recognize particularly epitopes of the intimin protein of enteropathogenic E. coli and enterohemorrhagic E. coli, methods of detecting such E. coli by use of these antibodies, and kits containing these antibodies for diagnosis.

Abstract: A novel method for examining bacterial growth state is carried out by measuring the levels of conserved cytosolic proteins specific for alternative growth states, using bacterial specific antibody fluorochrome-coupled probe. Utilizing the method of the invention, the cellular growth state of individual bacteria can be determined by measuring the abundance of growth state-specific protein homologs. For example, through use of the protein profiling method of the invention, bacterial VNC state can be distinguished by differentiating growing (exponential phase) from nongrowing or dormant (stationary phase) cells.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the outer membrane protein of Pasteurella multocida is provided. Also provided are methods to detect the presence of the nucleic acid molecule, and antibodies specific for the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, in a sample. Further provided are immunogenic compositions comprising the outer membrane polypeptide or protien of Pasteurella multocida, or portions thereof.

Abstract: The T cell activation marker, granulysin, is demonstrated to be an effective antimicrobial agent. It is used in vitro and in vivo to reduce the population of viable cells in a microbial population. Of particular interest is the use of the active fragment of human granulysin, or modified forms thereof, to treat bacterial infections.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises treating a medium suspected of containing an analyte under conditions such that the analyte, if present, causes a photosensitizer and a chemiluminescent compound to come into close proximity. The photosensitizer generates singlet oxygen and activates the chemiluminescent compound when it is in close proximity. The activated chemiluminescent compound subsequently produces light. The amount of light produced is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. Preferably, at least one of the photosensitizer and chemiluminescent compound is associated with a surface which is usually a suspendible particle, and a specific binding pair member is bound thereto. Compositions and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides M Protein polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding M Protein polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing M Protein polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ELISA diagnostic kit for the assay of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 antibodies in the serum of pigs comprising in separate packaging, at least one of the following: a) a plate or solid support having bound thereto a purified lipopolysaccharide A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 antigen for a specific binding to anti-A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 antibodies present in the serum of pigs; b) serum from pigs experimentally inoculated with a strain of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 to serve as a positive control; c) pig serum from A. pleuropneumoniae free herd to serve as a negative control; and d) a detectably labeled conjugate which bind to pigs antibodies bound to the plate of a).

Abstract: The present invention concerns new electrochemical biosensors for the determination of analytes concentration in sample solutions or suspensions, based on composite transducers containing an electro-conducting material, in the form of powder or grains, a chemical mediator, optionally a substance capable of sorption of said chemical mediator, and a solid binding maker, which is a compound in solid state at room temperature; said biosensors are prepared by incorporating a biocatalyst into the bulk of said composite transducers or by applying a biocatalytic layer onto their surface.