Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions containing non-pathogenic, germination-competent bacterial spores, for the prevention, control, and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, disorders and conditions and for general nutritional health.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered modified strains of Enterococcus faecalis (EF) that is able to produce bacteriocin but is inefficient at establishing long-term colonization of the GI track in an animal. Compositions comprising the modified strain and methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), such as Staphylococcal PNAG, in acetylated, partially acetylated and/or fully deacetylated form. The invention further provides methods for using these peptides in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of infections by bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Some antibodies of the invention enhance opsonophagocytic killing and in vivo protection against bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Compositions of these peptides, including pharmaceutical compositions, are also provided, as are functionally equivalent variants of such peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport protein which can be obtained by modifying the heavy chain of the neurotoxin formed by Clostridium botulinum wherein (i) the protein binds specifically to nerve cells with a higher or lower affinity as the native neurotoxin; (ii) the protein has an increased or reduced neurotoxicity compared to the native neurotoxin, the neurotoxicity being preferably determined in the hemidiaphragm assay; and/or (iii) the protein comprises a lower affinity against neutralizing antibodies compared to the native neurotoxin. The invention also relates to methods for producing the same and the use thereof in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for applying an fragment of a neurotoxin such as the active light chain (LC) of the botulinum toxin (BoNT), such as one of the serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G botulinum toxins, via permeabilization of targeted cell membranes to enable translocation of the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (BoNT-LC) molecule across the targeted cell membrane to the cell cytosol where a therapeutic response is produced in a mammalian system. The methods and apparatus include use of catheter based delivery systems, non-invasive delivery systems, and transdermal delivery systems.

Abstract: A system for identifying Candida auris is disclosed. The system has two aspects. The first is a positive selection of C. auris based on C. auris's distinctive resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds (especially at elevated incubation temperatures). The second is a negative selection of C. auris based on C. auris's distinctive sensitive to tert-Butyl-hydroperoxide. C. auris can be identified in a sample through use of a positive-selection culture medium, which fosters C. auris colony growth while suppressing growth of other yeasts. The isolate can be confirmed as C. auris through use of a negative-selection culture medium, which suppresses C. auris colony growth while permitting growth of other yeasts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting microbial infection in mammalian subjects comprising treatment of a sample and detection of galactofuranose (galF)-containing antigenic components utilizing monoclonal antibodies. The methods disclosed provide for pretreatment of biological samples, such as urine samples, to maximize detection of galF antigens and improvement of sensitivity of galF antigen detection assays. The methods include minimizing intelectin-1 binding to galF antigens and improvement of monoclonal antibody binding. The detection methods are useful for identifying the presence of microbial antigens related to bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aspergillus species, Fusarium species, Coccidioides species, Cryptococcus species, Histoplasma species, and Leishmania species.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the strain CECT8836 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and mutants thereof, and the use of said strain as a pesticide in controlling plant diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. Further aspects of the invention relate to methods for preparing suspensions and extracts of the strain CECT8836 of B. amyloliquefaciens, pesticidal compositions comprising said strain and an extract of CECT8836 of B. amyloliquefaciens with antimicrobial activity. Finally the invention relates to a method for the biological control of various plant diseases caused by fungi and bacteria both in vegetable plants and in fruit trees, comprising treating these plants with the strain CECT8836 of B. amyloliquefaciens, a composition including it or a cell-free extract derived from CECT8836 of B. amyloliquefaciens.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of secretory antibody-bound bacteria in the microbiota in a subject that influence the development and progression of inflammatory diseases and disorders. Thus, the invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting and identifying the constituents of a subject's microbiota, methods of modifying the constituents of the microbiota, and methods for treating inflammatory diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides that may be used in whole or in combination for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods involving detection of antibodies contained in the blood of non-human primates that arise from an infection from M. tuberculosis or vaccination using an epitope specific inoculation. More particularly, the present invention provides a means to distinguish early, active, and latent M. tuberculosis infection. More particularly, the present invention describes an immunological diagnostic mechanism for the detection of M. tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to the field of prevention and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections. In particular, the disclosure relates to immunogens comprising Staphylococcus aureus antigens and methods for generating immune responses to immunogens, and to antibody products specific for the Staphylococcus aureus epitopes and methods for treating Staphylococcus aureus infection with the antibody products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions containing non-pathogenic, germination-competent bacterial spores, for the prevention, control, and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, disorders and conditions and for general nutritional health.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering toxin and toxin fragments to a patient's nasal cavity provide for both release of the toxin and delivery of energy which selectively porates target cells to enhance uptake of the toxin. The use of energy-mediated delivery is particularly advantageous with light chain fragment toxins which lack cell binding capacity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determination of the microorganism content in material comprising cellulose within the pulp and paper industry. The material comprising cellulose is enzymatically pretreated and microorganisms are determined using PCR based technology.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of using compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, and magnets to isolate a pathogen from a body fluid sample.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the use of synergistic amounts of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and cyantraniliprole for the control of diamondback moth, beet armyworm, southwestern corn borer, and corn earworm wherein the ratio of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki to Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai is from about 1:0.47 to about 1:0.92, and the ratio of the total amount of Bacillus thuringiensis to cyantraniliprole is from about 1:0.025 to about 1:150.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of using a Listeria vaccine vector to induce a Th1 immune response in subjects having persistent Th2 immune response profiles.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying antigens of human lymphocytes are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated Bacillus cereus sensu lato strain, selected from Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis, in which the htrA gene or any part thereof is silenced, and vaccines comprising the same.