Abstract: It is possible to inactivate the early stage of lipid A synthesis of mucosal gram negative bacteria without compromising cell viability. In particular the lpxA gene in N. meningitidis was mutated and resulting lpxA knockout mutants were found to be completely lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-deficient. The major outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were detected in normal amounts. The finding provides important implications for understanding of structure and biogenesis of the outer membrane. On a practical level, the availability of LPS-deficient mutants of pathogenic mucosal bacteria such as N. meningitidis opens up new avenues to vaccine development. It enables easy isolation of endotoxin-free purified proteins, outer membranes or even whole-cell preparations for use in immunisation.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by these polynucleotides, to the production of such polynucleotides and polypeptides, and to the uses of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to the phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK) gene (ERG8 gene) from Candida Albicans (C. albicans), to methods for its expression yielding phosphomevalonate kinase protein, to hybrid organisms for use in such expression methods, to methods for purification of the protein, to methods and tools for diagnosing C. albicans infection and to assays for identifying inhibitors of the enzyme which inhibitors have potential as anti-fungal agents.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an immunogenic strain useful for producing a vaccine against Coccidiosis comprises the cycle of infecting at least one first group of specific pathogen-free donor birds with oocysts from an Eimeria species. Blood is then collected from these donor birds, and is then used to infect a second group of specific pathogen-free birds. Oocysts are collected from the second group of birds. These oocysts are then multiplicated to complete the cycle. The cycle is then repeated using the multiplicated oocysts. After a total of about three cycles, a final antigen may be harvested and utilized as a source to generate oocysts for a vaccine.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is amino acid sequences of the AC-Hly from B. pertussis, B. parapertussis and/or B. bronchiseptica, carrying epitopes capable of inducing a protective immune response against infection by Bordetella. The subject of the invention is antibodies, especially monoclonal antibodies, directed against these epitopes.

Abstract: The invention provides Neisseria meningitidis BASB030 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding BASB030 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are antibodies, diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: Safe and effective live vaccines against Flavobacterium columnare of fish were created through the induction of rifampicin resistance in a native Flavobacterium columnare isolate; these including rifampicin-resistant mutants NRRL B-30303 and B-30304. Single immersion exposure of fish stimulated acquired immunity against virulent F. columnare infection.

Abstract: This invention comprises a recombinant protein comprising the maltose binding protein (MBP) of Escherichia coli fused to amino acids 5–337 of the FlaA flagellin of Campylobacter coli VC167 which has provided evidence of immunogenicity and protective efficacy against challenge by a heterologous strain of campylobacter, Campylobacter jejuni 81–176 in mammals. The invention further comprises a recombinant DNA construct encoding the immunodominant region (region I through III) of flagellin from Campylobacter spp. for use as a component of a vaccine against Campylobacter diarrhea. The invention therefore represents an effective treatment against Campylobacter but avoids inducing the autoimmune Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), a post-infection polyneuropathy caused by Campylobacter molecular mimicry of human gangliosides which has hampered the development of vaccines heretofore.

Abstract: A method for the evaluation of a material to determine whether the material is susceptible to bacterial contamination or colonization comprising providing bacteria which are modified to produce a first detectable signal, exposing the material being evaluated to the bacteria and determining whether the first signal is present determining whether the first signal is present on the material or within the material.

Abstract: Methods for determining the effect of a Clostridal toxin on muscle are disclosed. In particular, methods for determining a potency and/or diffusion of a toxin based on a nuclear index and/or the extent of muscle atrophy are disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide molecules contain a nucleotide sequence that encodes a L. intracellularis HtrA, PonA, HypC, LysS, YcfW, ABC1, or Omp100 protein, a substantial portion of the sequences, or a homologous sequence. Related polypeptides, immunogenic compositions and assays are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to phagocytosis and phagolysosomal fusion and, in particular, to a tripeptide of Fc?RIIA that mediates trafficking of targets phagocytosed via Fc?RIIA to the lysosomal compartment.

Abstract: A method to determine the presence or absence of Streptococcus Group A antigen in a sample, comprising the following steps: extracting the antigen from the sample in an assay chamber with two or less extraction reagents, wherein the two reagents may be added to the assay chamber in no particular sequence; introducing a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay device into the extraction reagents containing the extracted antigen without further addition of reagents or manipulation of the sample; forming an antigen-indicator labeling reagent complex; and determining the presence or absence of the antigen in the sample by the presence or absence of a signal formed by the binding of the antigen-indicator labeling reagent complex to an indicator capture reagent specific for said antigen-indicator labeling reagent complex.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for detection and prediction of mastitis. The method comprises the steps of determining the values of mastitis indicators and comparing the values with predetermined standards, wherein deviation from the standards provides a measure of mastitis.

Abstract: The invention provides active and passive immunization methods for preventing and treating Clostridium difficile infection, which involve percutaneous administration of C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, C. difficile toxoids, or combinations thereof. Also provided by the invention are C. difficile toxoids, C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, and methods of identifying subjects that produce C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin.

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

Abstract: Described is a plasmid prepared by recombinant techniques which is used to prepare a vaccine against Y. pestis.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of A. phagocytophilum (formerly known as Ehrlichia equi) antibodies and antibody fragments.

Abstract: A chimeric live, infectious, attenuated virus containing a yellow fever virus, in which the nucleotide sequence for a prM-E protein is either deleted, truncated, or mutated, so that functional prM-E protein is not expressed, and integrated into the genome of the yellow fever virus, a nucleotide sequence encoding a prM-E protein of a second, different flavivirus, so that the prM-E protein of the second flavivirus is expressed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing hymenoptera-immune globulin is disclosed. In a presently preferred embodiment, the method involves the steps of concentrating a raw immune globulin solution; freezing the concentrated immune globulin solution; thawing the frozen concentrated immune globulin solution; adding sufficient mono or disaccharide to the thawed concentrated immune globulin solution to yield a solution of about 0.25 to about 0.35 osmolar; filtering the thawed concentrated immune globulin solution; and lyophilizing the concentrated immune globulin solution.