Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are a mutant of a gram negative bacterium, wherein said bacterium has at least one mutation in a nucleotide sequence which codes for a polypeptide having an identity which is equal or more than 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% with an amino acid sequence coded by a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of nucleotide sequences identified SEQ ID NO: 2, 6, 9, 12, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67, 70, 75, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90, 93; said mutation resulting in attenuated virulence of the bacterium. Immunogenic compositions and vaccines containing such a mutant are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides strains of bacteria, especially enterotoxigenic E. coli, attenuated by mutations in the genes encoding enterotoxins (LT, ST, EAST1) and optionally further attenuated by deletion of additional chromosomal genes. In addition the invention provides strains of attenuated bacteria expressing immunogenic but non-toxic variants of one or more of these enterotoxins. These bacteria are useful as a vaccine against diarrhoeal disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides and porins from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions, including inducing the production of antibody in an animal.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of inducing production of vascular endothelial growth factor by a cell. The method includes contacting the cell with a CpG oligonucleotide, thereby inducing the production of vascular endothelial growth factor by the cell. The disclosure further provides a method inducing neovascularization in a tissue. This method includes comprising introducing a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide into an area of the tissue wherein the formation of new blood vessels is desired, thereby inducing neovascularization in the area of the tissue.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides that modulate an immune response including stimulating a Th1 pattern of immune activation, cytokine production, NK lytic activity, and B cell proliferation are disclosed. The sequences are also useful a synthetic adjuvant.

Abstract: An isolated strain of Enterococcus faecalis GALT deposited under number CECT 7121 of the group of lactic bacteria is disclosed, which is capable of surviving and colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of humans and/or animals and showing beneficial probiotic activity for the health of humans and animals. The strain E. faecalis GALT and/or a culture supernatant and/or metabolites thereof shows no in vitro multiresistance to antibiotics of common use in human clinics as glycopeptides, such as vancomycin, teicoplanine; carbapenemes, such as impipenem, meropenem; and ampicillin. The strain E. faecalis GALT contains no red blood cell-destroying hemolysins of human, ovine and equine origin; and it does not produce any gelatinase, DNase and decarboxylases. The strain E.

Abstract: Vaccines and methods for making and using the same. An example vaccine may be a vaccine against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The vaccine may include an Escherichia coli strain. The Escherichia coli strain may produce K88 fimbria and a fusion protein including a mutant LT enterotoxin linked with a STb enterotoxin. An example method for producing a vaccine for porcine post-weaning diarrhea may include providing a first strain of Escherichia coli. The strain may include the eltAB gene and the estB gene. The method may also include amplifying the eltAB gene, mutating the eltAB gene, generating a genetic fusion of the mutant eltAB gene with the estB gene, and transforming a second strain of Escherichia coli with the genetic fusion.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a vaccine or pharmaceutical-containing composition is applied to the muzzle area of the animal, which will then naturally use its tongue to clean itself. This behavior will cause the animal to deposit applied composition to the mucosa of the nasal and oral cavities, thus meeting the need for a simple, effective, and efficient vaccination or treatment method.

Abstract: Compositions including multiple oligodeoxynucleotides with a CpG motif are disclosed herein. The compositions can include either D or K type oligodeoxynucleotides. These compositions are of use in inducing an immune response in a large percentage of the individuals in a population.

Abstract: Provided is a P4 peptide, which contains functional epitopes of the PsaA protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and related methods and compositions. P4 peptide mimetics having a conformational structure identical or similar to the conformation of P4 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO:2) are provided. An antibody that specifically binds to the epitope defined by the disclosed peptides is provided. A P4-specific antibody is PsaA-specific since P4 defines an epitope specific for PsaA. Immunogenic compositions comprising the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a pharmaceutical carrier or the peptide of SEQ ID NO:2 and a pharmaceutical carrier are also provided. Methods of using the peptides and antibodies of the invention are provided.

Abstract: Group B streptococcus (GBS) proteins and polynucleotides encoding them are disclosed. Said proteins are antigenic and therefore useful vaccine components for the prophylaxis or therapy of streptococcus infection in animals. Also disclosed are recombinant methods of producing the protein antigens as well as diagnostic assays for detecting streptococcus bacterial infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides for manipulating an immune reaction. The oligonucleotides of the present invention may be useful to stimulate the immune function, to treat the immune-related diseases and the atopic dermatitis, or to protect the normal immune cells.

Abstract: An antibody was raised against a synthetic 27 per peptide (ProEP2-1) blocked T. brucei and ProEP2-1-induced apoptosis in human brain vascular endothelial cells (HBVEC). The use of this and similar blocking antibodies have use both as diagnostic agents and in treatment to prevent damage arising from infection.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing in a host infection by or exposure to a mycobacterium which expresses ESAT-6 comprising (i) contacting a population of T cells from the host with one or more peptides or analogues selected from the peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:1 to 11 and analogues thereof which can bind a T cell receptor which recognises any of the said peptides, and (ii) determining whether the T cells of said T cell population recognise the peptide(s) and/or analogue(s). The method may performed in vivo. Peptides and a kit which enable the method to be carried out are provided.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making BMP-2 microparticles and methods of using the microparticles. These microparticles are prepared, for example, by mixing a solution containing BMP-2 with a second solution whose ionic concentration and pH results in the precipitation of the BMP-2.

Abstract: The present invention discloses microbial organisms capable of fermenting malic acid to lactic acid having impaired capability of degrading citric acid. These microbial organisms are for example useful in methods of preferentially degrading malic acid over citric acid in a liquid composition or in methods of inducing malolactic fermentation during wine production. The invention also discloses a concentrate of these microbial organisms and methods of preparing such a concentrate. The present invention furthermore relates to an activation solution useful for incubation of microbial organisms prior to inoculation into a liquid composition, such as wine.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 3 and mutated sequences thereof.

Abstract: A sensitive, multicomponent diagnostic test for infection with T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, including methods of making and methods of use. Also provided is a method for screening T. cruzi polypeptides to identify antigenic polypeptides for inclusion as components of the diagnostic test, as well as compositions containing antigenic T. cruzi polypeptides.