Abstract: The present invention is a method for diagnosing a patient at risk to thrombocytopenia induced by administration of a GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, which comprises combining i) a plasma sample of the patient; ii) detectable monoclonal antibody which recognizes induced binding sites formed on the GP IIb/IIIa receptor following association of a fibrinogen receptor antagonist with the GP IIb/IIIa receptor; and iii) GP IIb/IIIa receptor:GP IIb/III receptor antagonist complex, and determining association of the detectable monoclonal antibody with the complex in the presence of the plasma.

Abstract: The invention features fusion agents such as fusion proteins that are useful for the treatment of and prevention from diseases that are susceptible to the effects of cellular (Th1 type) immune responses. Also encompassed by the invention are nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins of the invention, vectors containing the nucleic acids, and cells containing the vectors. The invention includes methods of making and using the fusion agents of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved specific binding assay methods, kits and devices utilizing chromatographically mobile specific binding reagents labelled with colloidal particles. Specific binding reagents labelled with colloidal particles such as gold and selenium may be subjected to rapid chromatographic solvent transport on chromatographic media by means of selected solvents and chromatographic transport facilitating agents. Further, impregnation of solid substrate materials with labile protein materials including colloidal particle and enzyme labelled reagents in the presence of meta-soluble proteins provides for the rapid resolubilization of such materials which have been dried onto such substrate materials.

Abstract: A method for isolating viable, biologically substantially pure exfoliated fecal colonocytes at normal ambient temperature is described. Immunocoprocytes and inflammatory cells indicative of certain gastrointestinal conditions and a noninvasive method for detecting colorectal cancer are set forth. Composition of transport and suspension media for isolation of colonocytes are detailed.

Abstract: A chimeric protein comprising a Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin (PE) moiety linked to a myelin basic protein (MBP) moiety is disclosed. The MBP moiety is selected from the group comprising: (a) MBP; (b) amino acids 69-88 of guinea-pig myelin basic protein or an antigenic portion thereof; (c) amino acids 84-102 of human myelin basic protein or an antigenic portion thereof; (d) amino acids 143-168 of human myelin basic protein or an antigenic portion thereof; and (e) an amino acid sequence in which one or more amino acids have been deleted, added, substituted or mutated in the amino acid sequences of (a), (b), (c) or (d), the modified sequence of (e) retaining at least 75% homology with the amino acid sequences of (a), (b), (c) or (d), respectively. Each of the MBP moieties of (b), (c) and (d) are linked to the PE moiety by a pentapeptide linker repeated 1-3 times. The chimeric protein is useful in treating autoimmune diseases, and especially multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines which are suitable for the prevention of clostridial diseases of sheep (and lambs), providing an effective immunity for up to a year or more following a single injection or dose.

Abstract: A chimeric polypeptide encoded by a chimeric gene formed by DNA sequences that encode four antigenic determinants of L. infantum is disclosed. These antigenic determinants are obtained from rLiP2a, rLiP2b, rLiH2A and rLiPO. The protein obtained, has a molecular mass of 38 KD with an isoelectric point of 7.37. This chimeric polypeptide is useful for diagnosing, preventing and/or treating leishmaniosis in animals or humans.

Abstract: Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, expresses on its surface a decorin binding protein, DbpA and DbpB. Lysine residues necessary for DbpA binding to decorin and DbpA peptides containing these critical residues essential for decorin binding are disclosed. It is further disclosed that vaccination using peptides incorporating these critical binding domains of DbpA can confer a delayed-type hypersensitivity response to DbpA and reduce the number of B. burgdorferi organisms present in infected animals.

Abstract: The presence or absence of a target microbial analyte in a substance, such as a biological or environmental substance, is assayed by inoculating a sterile growth media with a sample of the substance. The media may be combined with a labeled analyte-specific material (LASM) which can migrate through the substrate and which is homogeneously distributed throughout the media. The LASM may be premixed with the media, or may be added to the media after inoculation with the substance. The nature of the media is such that it will support target analyte reproduction so as to form target analyte colonies in or on the media, and it will not allow the target analyte colonies to migrate within the media. After the sample to be assayed is added to the media, growth of the target analyte colonies in the sample will bind increasing quantities of the LASM, thereby creating localized intensely labeled areas in the media which can be visually or photometrically detected.

Abstract: A protein obtainable from a non pathgenic microorgansim, said protein having mucosa binding promoting activity and a molecular weight of 20-40 kD is disclosed. Application of such a protein or a peptide derived therefrom in a method of screening non pathogenic microorganisms for a microorganism capable of specifically binding mucosa, said method comprising detection in a manner known per se of the presence of a particular protein on or in a microorganism or in a culture of microorganisms, said particular protein being the already defined protein. Kits suitable for such a screening method are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for detecting the presence of toxigenic strains of C. difficile in a biological sample. One embodiment provides methods for C. difficile detection that involve assaying for both C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase and C. difficile toxin A or toxin B. In another embodiment, the invention provides a highly sensitive assay for C. difficile toxin A that is useful for determining whether a C. difficile strain is toxigenic. This embodiment involves binding of toxin A to a moiety that reversibly binds to a capture moiety present on a magnetic bead. A magnetic field is applied to the sample to concentrate the toxin A, after which the magnetic beads are dissociated and removed from the solution to obtain a highly concentrated preparation of toxin A, thus making possible a very sensitive assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence of a choline binding protein CbpG. This invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a choline binding polypeptide CbpG or N-terminal CbpG truncate, including analogs, variants, mutants, derivatives and fragments thereof This invention further provides an isolated immunogenic polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a choline binding protein CbpG. This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a choline binding protein CbpG. This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods of use of the isolated polypeptides and nucleic acids. Assays for compounds which alter or inactivate the polypeptides of the present invention for use in therapy are also provided.

Abstract: An immunoassay for Sarcocystis neurons antibodies in equines is described. The immunoassay uses blocking of Sarcocystis antigens by antibodies to Sarcocystis sp. other than Sarcocystis neurona in connection with the immunoassay.

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: A novel approach to Borrelia vaccine formulation taking into account serological, genotypic and epidemiological information by which OspC proteins from different strains of B burgdorferi are grouped together. OspC antigens are chosen in order to constitute a representative sample of such groupings, so that the resulting vaccine provides the greatest cross-protectivity with the fewest number of antigens.

Abstract: A method and agent for antibodies against Treponema pallidum are provided. The method involves gene-amplifying and cloning a selection of recombinant antigens. The selection of recombinant antigens consists of 17 kD antigen, 47 kD antigen and TmpA. The antigens are expressed in host vector systems, followed by purification. The purified antigens are then bound to a solid phase individually or in combination, and subjected to a reaction with a clinical specimen. The antibodies bound from the clinical specimen by means of an antigen/antibody reaction are determined by means of a detection system wherein the selection of the recombinant antigens for detecting antibodies to Treponema pallidum consists of 17 kD antigen, 47 kD antigen and TmpA.

Abstract: A method for screening candidate antimicrobial compounds is described that utilizes a human vaginal xenograft engrafted in a non-human host. The method may be performed by using pathogen inoculated human vaginal xenografts in order to screen a wide range of candidate antimicrobials administered topically or systemically.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a marker useful for detection and measurement of free radical damage. Specifically, the invention takes advantage of alterations which occur to the N-terminus of the albumin molecule, a circulating protein in human blood, in the presence of free radicals. These alterations effect the ability of the N-terminus of the albumin molecule to bind metals. Methods for detecting and quantifying this alteration include evaluating and quantifying the cobalt binding capacity of an albumin containing sample, analysis and measurement of the ability of albumin to bind exogenous cobalt, detection and measurement of the presence of copper in a purified albumin sample and use of an immunological assay specific to the altered form of serum albumin which occurs following free radical damage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene, termed “S-yneS,” found in Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is essential for survival for a wide range of bacteria. This gene and the S-yneS polypeptide that it encodes, as well as homologs and orthologs thereof (collectively referred to as “yneS” genes and polypeptides) can be used to identify antibacterial agents for treating a broad spectrum of bacterial infections.

Abstract: An antigenic preparation for use in the treatment of prevention of Helicobacter infection in a mammalian host, comprises the catalase enzyme of Helicobacter bacterial, particularly the catalase enzyme of H. pylori or H. felis, or an immunogenic fragment thereof.