Abstract: TRFs useful for identifying strains of interest are provided. A method of identifying one or more strain that can be used as a direct-fed microbial is also provided. One or more strain identified by the method is additionally provided. A method is also provided for administering to an animal an effective amount of the one or more strain. Additionally provided is an isolated strain chosen from at least one of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain P1B c6 (NRRL B-50103), Lactobacillus salivarius strain o246e 33w (NRRL B-50102), Pediococcus acidilactici strain o246e 42 (NRRL B-50171), and Pediococcus acidilactici strain P1J e3 (NRRL B-50101). An isolated strain having all of the identifying characteristics of one of the strains listed above is also provided. One or more strain can be administered as a direct-fed microbial to an animal. Methods of preparing a direct-fed microbial are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide specifically binding to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The present invention also relates to a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, a host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of or the vector of the invention and a method of detecting the amount and/or location of PCNA in living cells, a method of screening for compounds having an effect on the cell cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed are substantially purified Plasmodium sporozoites and preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites substantially separated from attendant non-sporozoite material, where the preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites have increasing levels of purity. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising purified Plasmodium sporozoites are likewise provided. Methods of purifying preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites are also provided.

Abstract: Meningococcal protein NMB 1870 has been described in the prior art. The inventors have found that NMB 1870 is an effective antigen for eliciting anti-meningococcal antibody responses, and that it is expressed across all meningococcal serogroups. Forty-two different NMB 1870 sequences have been identified, and these group into three variants. Serum raised against a given variant is bactericidal within the same variant group, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two variants i.e. there is intra-variant cross-protection, but not inter-variant cross-protection. For maximum cross-strain efficacy, therefore, the invention uses mixture comprising different variants of NMB 1870.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are purified bacteriophage preparations that effectively lyse a plurality of C. perfringens strains. In one embodiment, a purified bacteriophage preparation includes four or more C. perfringens-specific bacteriophage, wherein each bacteriophage has lytic activity against at least five C. perfringens strains. In another embodiment, the purified bacteriophage preparation includes five or more C. perfringens-specific bacteriophage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a streptococcal octapeptide AXYLXXLN, and preferably to the octapeptide AXYLZZLN, designated as peptide associated with rheumatic fever (PARF) that, through its interaction with human collagen, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever. PARF therefore represents a marker for rheumatic fever associated strains and provides a target for therapies, and in particular preventive therapies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6D, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit?2) glucose 1 (1?3) glucose 2 (1?3) rhamnose (1?4) ribitol (5?phosphate. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms genetically engineered to increase yield and/or efficiency of biomass production from a carbon source, such as e.g. glucose. Processes for generating such microorganisms are also provided by the present invention. The invention also relates to polynucleotide sequences comprising genes that encode proteins that are involved in the bioconversion of a carbon source such as e.g. glucose into biomass. The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. Also included are processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms leading to a microorganism with reduced carbon source diversion, i.e. higher yield and/or efficiency of biomass production from a carbon source such as e.g. glucose.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) molecules with high cytotoxicity and reduced immunogenicity, compositions containing the improved (PE), and methods of use.

Abstract: A cell-lysate extract based assay reagent for detecting quorum sensing signals is generally provided, along with methods of making and using the same. The assay reagent generally includes a cell-lysate extract formed from a biosensor bacterium (e.g., Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 (pCF218)(pCF372)) and a detecting substrate (e.g., an absorbance-based or luminescence-based substrate). The cell-lysate extract can be prepared by (1) disrupting the cell membranes of the biosensor bacterium to release the cellular components into a solution, (2) centrifuging the resulting solution, and (3) removing the resulting supernatant solution.

Abstract: Recombinant immunogenic compositions, and methods for the manufacture and use, are provided for the prevention and treatment of intracellular pathogen diseases in humans and animals. The recombinant immunogenic compositions express high levels of recombinant proteins in vectors that do not harbor an antibiotic resistance marker (“unmarked”).

Abstract: Provided herein are prime-boost regimens and materials used therein. The prime-boost regimens enhance the immune response to a target antigen. The vaccines used for boost are comprised of recombinant attenuated metabolically active Listeria that encodes an expressible antigen that is cross-reactive with the target antigen. In some examples, the immune response is a cellular immune response.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing a metabolic disorder or bacterial infection in a subject, the composition comprising a bacterial endotoxin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody composition comprising ovine antibodies, for use in the prevention or treatment of C. difficile infection wherein the antibodies bind to a C. difficile toxin, and wherein said prevention or treatment is by oral delivery of the antibody composition. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition of ovine antibodies for oral delivery, which further comprises one or more means for protecting the antibodies from trypsin and/or chymotrypsin and/or stomach acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment of microbial infections and for the enhancement of resistance to infection. The invention comprises administration of an effective amount of bacterial lysate compositions for the treatment of pathological conditions of microbial infections. The present invention can also be used to enhance the immune system to prevent infections by the administration of an effective amount of the compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that specifically recognize ?5-desaturase, methods of producing the antibodies, nucleotides and polypeptides for producing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies. The ?5-desaturase-specific antibodies provide improved methods of detecting ?5-desaturase in a sample.

Abstract: Provided are therapeutic compositions containing Ecobiotic™ populations for prevention, treatment and reduction of symptoms associated with a dysbiosis of a mammalian subject such as a human.

Abstract: High affinity antibodies for binding epitopes of BoNT/B and hybridomas that produce such antibodies are described. The antibodies may be used in a kit for detecting BoNT/B in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of Streptococcus. More specifically, the present invention relates to the identification of polypeptides and polynucleotide sequences encoding the same which are involved in the pathogenic mechanism of S. suis. The present invention also relates to the use of such polypeptides in compositions and methods for the prevention, the treatment and diagnosis of S. suis-associated diseases and infections caused by S. suis.