Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP: a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an animal-protein-free botulinum toxin composition to treat a disease, disorder or condition in a patient in need thereof whereby the animal-protein-free botulinum toxin composition exhibits a longer lasting effect in the patient compared to an animal-protein-containing botulinum toxin composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to antigenic polypeptides derived from a naturally occurring R. microplus protein, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. The polypeptides elicit an immune response which, in turn, produces detrimental effects in R. microplus feeding on vaccinated cattle. Thus, the present disclosure provides novel vaccines to protect cattle from R. microplus infestation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides genetically altered protozoan parasites comprising a mutation in a bradyzoite formation deficient 1 (BFD1) gene, wherein the mutation inhibits differentiation of the parasite into a bradyzoite. The genetically altered protozoan parasites can be utilized in vaccine compositions and in methods of treating apicomplexan parasite infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particles, particularly virus-like particles (VLPs), comprising fusion polypeptides comprising selected repeat units derived from the repeating regions of Type I and Type II circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) of Plasmodium vivax (Pv), together with an amino acid sequence derived from the C-terminal PvCSP sequence. In some embodiments, the fusion polypeptide additionally comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the N-terminal PvCSP sequence and/or a surface antigen polypeptide derived from Hepatitis B virus (HBV-S). The invention also relates to nucleotide sequences coding for such fusion polypeptides, vectors and plasmids comprising such nucleotide sequences, and host cells comprising such vectors and plasmids. The invention additionally relates to compositions, particularly vaccine compositions, comprising the fusion polypeptides or VLPs for use as vaccines for the prevention of malaria.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and antibodies useful for reducing, eliminating, or preventing infection with a bacterial population in domestic animals or humans. Also described herein are antigens useful for targeting by heavy chain antibodies and VHH fragments for reducing a bacterial population in domestic animals or humans.

Abstract: Modified meningococcal fHbp polypeptides with increased stability.

Abstract: Outer membrane vesicles from bacteria of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex can be used as adjuvants in compositions and methods to potentiate the immune response to immunogens.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for making and using recombinant bacteria that are capable of regulated attenuation and/or regulated expression of one or more antigens of interest.

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

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bacterial, preferably probiotic bacterial peptidoglycan hydrolase (PGH), a peptidoglycan hydrolase (PGH)-comprising bacterial, preferably probiotic bacterial strain or a peptidoglycan hydrolase (PGH)-comprising composition for use in the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a bacterial infection, preferably for the treatment of a bacterial infection resulting in diarrhea. Further aspects of the present invention relate to corresponding methods for preparing a medicament and to a corresponding method of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medicine and in particular to Parkinson's disease (PD). Specifically the present invention relates to methods and means for early detection of PD. The invention relates also to methods and means for treatment or prophylaxis of PD. In the method of the invention a probability of a subject developing or having Parkinson's disease (PD) is determined by measuring the relative abundances of one or multiple microbial taxa in a sample from a subject; and the probability of the subject developing or having PD is determined based on the measured abundances. The present invention provides a novel approach for the diagnostics of PD.

Abstract: A strain of Lactobacillus salivarius as a probiotic product, and its use in the treatment and/or prevention of otitis and upper respiratory infections.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: Mutated and/or truncated malarial circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) and associated nucleic acids that are more stable and highly expressed in mammalian cells are described. The mutated and/or truncated CSP and associated nucleic acids can be expressed to produce malaria vaccine antigens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polyproteins of Mycoplasma surface proteins, all of which are useful in detecting infection and for the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing diseases in swine and other animals. Vaccines provided according to the practice of the invention are effective against Mycoplasma infections. Detection and therapeutic polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also a feature of the present invention. Assays, kits, systems, and nanoparticle encapsulated compositions related to the polynucleotides, polypeptides, polyproteins, antibodies or fragments, derivatives, and variants thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The application is directed to in vitro-reared Plasmodium sporozoites of human host range wherein sporogony from gametocyte stage to sporozoite stage is external to mosquitoes, and methods of producing the same. Provided herein are in vitro-reared infectious Plasmodium sporozoites (SPZ) of human host range, particularly P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi, wherein sporogony from gametocyte stage to sporozoite stage is external to mosquitoes, and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides new bacteriophages, their selection, compositions, cocktails and formulations thereof, and their administration for the prevention of opportunistic infections in livestock, such as Avian Pathogenic E. Coli (APEC) infections in poultry.

Abstract: Novel methods for exporting target proteins from the cytosol to the extracellular surface of bacterial cells are provided. The methods are useful in that they permit the preparation of vaccines for the prevention of bacterial infectious diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of an intracellular bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising one or more modulating agents, wherein the one or more modulating agents increase expression of IFN?, IL-2, TNF, and/or IL-17 in systemic and/or lung T cells. In some embodiments, the increase of expression of IFN?, IL-2, TNF, and/or IL-17 occurs in lung T cells. The lung T cells can be lung resident T cells or systemic T cells that are recruited to the lung. In some embodiments, the T cells are CD4+ and/or CD8+ T cells. In some embodiments, the intracellular bacterial infection is a Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection.