Abstract: Hybridoma cell lines which produce and secrete monoclonal antibodies which selectively bind to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis have been produced. Cells of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis in biological samples may be detected and quantified by contacting the sample with the antibodies to form a M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis/antibody immunocomplex when M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis is present, which immunocomplex may then be detected. The monoclonal antibodies also may be incorporated into kits for the detection and quantification of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis.

Abstract: The invention provides new compositions and methods for immunomodulation of individuals. Immunomodulation is accomplished by administration of immunomodulatory polynucleotide/microcarrier (IMO/MC) complexes comprising 3-6mer immunomodulatory oligonucleotides. The IMO/MC complexes may be covalently or non-covalently bound. Also provided are immunomodulatory compositions comprising a 3-6mer IMO encapsulated in an MC.

Abstract: The invention provides BASB232 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding BASB232 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic uses. The invention further provides immunogenic compositions comprising a plurality of antigens selected from at least two different categories of antigen, having different functions within Bordetella. Examples of such categories of antigen are autotransporter proteins, iron acquisition proteins, lipoproteins, adhesins and toxins/invasins.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for inhibiting or treating inflammatory lung disease by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.

Abstract: Heat treated bacterins, a method of producing heat treated bacterins, and emulsion vaccines prepared from such heat treated bacterins are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for treating a coronary risk factor (such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity) and/or a respiratory disorder (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis) and/or arthritis by local administration of a botulinum neurotoxin to at least one of a head, neck or shoulder location (for example, by subdermal, subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of the botulinum neurotoxin) of a patient with a coronary risk factor, respiratory disorder or arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-Plasmodium immunogenic compositions comprising EVP1 (PFD0495c) or an antigenic portion thereof, as well as methods of immunizing against malaria employing these compositions. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of identifying Plasmodium infection employing agents that bind to EVP1 or an antibody generated thereto.

Abstract: Lactobacillus sp. strain with antimutagenic activity and, more particularly, Lactobacillus sp. JNU2116 having a specific amino acid sequence at an N-terminal. Such strain has various advantages in that it has antimutagenic activity to inhibit mutation of cells thus preventing cancer caused by modification of genes, may be added to general fermented dairy products, food additives and/or health foods so as to be simply applied to the human body by the intake of food and, in addition, may be safely used without side effects from intake thereof. The strain was deposited with Accession No. KCCM11055P to Korea Culture Center of Microorganisms (KCCM) (having the address of 361-221, Yurim B/D. Hongje-1-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-091, Republic of Korea) on Dec. 2, 2009.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for detection of hematophagous ectoparasitic activity in an enclosure or area. The compositions comprise a reagent or reagents which are reactive against antigens or markers as they appear in the excrement or other ectoparasitic materials. Such markers or antigens may be produced by the ectoparasite itself or may have been introduced into the ectoparasite because of its blood feeding activity. The method of the present invention comprises collecting from the enclosure or area, a sample comprising environmental dust or materials and subjecting the sample to tests for detecting the presence of hematophagous ectoparasitic markers, host markers or both.

Abstract: A method for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis involves contacting a biological sample with the product of expression of at least one ORF contained in a polynucleotide present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and absent in Mycabacterium bovis BCG; and detecting whether an immunological complex is formed between the product thereof and antibodies contained in the biological sample, wherein the presence of a complex indicates an infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of identifying an antigen from a pathogen or a disease antigen comprising the use of an adenoviral vector array comprising two or more different adenoviral vectors, wherein each adenoviral vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a different antigen of a pathogen. The adenoviral vectors are administered to antigen presenting cells (APCs) in vitro or to an animal in vivo. The immunogenicity of the antigen is measured by screening for an immune response from effector T lymphocytes in vitro and by screening for the absence of pathogen-induced disease onset in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one phase, aqueous vaccine composition for immunizing an animal against infection by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, comprising: an immunizing amount of a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin, an acrylic acid polymer in the concentration range between 0.8 and 1.2 mg/ml, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and substantially no oil. It is especially useful for immunizing a pig against infection by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae for at least 20 weeks after a single administration, which effective immunity is reached within 4 weeks after vaccination.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis.

Abstract: A genetically modified strain of M. tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis BCG is provided, wherein the genetically modified strain comprises at least one modified sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, or both, having at least one mutation at T2, Q4, F8, A14, L28, L29, W43, G45, Y51, Q55, Q56, N66, M83, V90, M93, or F94 in SEQ ID NO:1; or at least one mutation at Q3, F7 A13, L27, W42, G44, Y50, Q54, N65, N67, M82, V89, M92, or F93 in SEQ ID NO:2, or a deletion at the terminal end of less than 20 amino acids. In a preferred embodiment, the mutation is at least one of T2H, Q4L, F8I, AI4R, L28A, L29S, W43R, G45T, Q55I, Q56A, N66I, N67A, M83I, V90R, M93T, or F94Q in SEQ ID NO:1, and Q3L, F7I, A13R, L27A, L28S, W42R, Q44T, Q54I, N65I, M82I, V89R, M92T, and F93Q in SEQ ID NO:2. Similarly, the genetically modified strain may also secrete ESAT-6 with a hexa-histidine tag, tetra-cysteine tag, or FLAG-tag, a GFP-fusion, or a short truncation at the C-terminal end of less than 20 amino acids.

Abstract: Immunogenic polysaccharide-protein conjugates having a polysaccharide antigen (or its oligosaccharide fragment representing one or more antigenic epitopes) derived from a nosocomial pathogen conjugated to a staphylococcal surface adhesin carrier protein are used in immunogenic compositions to elicit antibody responses to both the polysaccharide antigen and the staphylococcal surface adhesin carrier protein. Such immunogenic compositions are used to immunize against diseases caused by Staphylococcal aureus, Staphylococcal epidermidis or other nosocomial pathogens.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the solubility of proteins, for example, bacterial toxins. In one embodiment, solubility is improved by introducing point mutations that replace cysteine residues capable of forming intermolecular disulfide bonds with other amino acid residues that do not form such bonds. By abrogating the ability of the cysteine residues to form inter-molecular disulfide bonds, aggregation of the protein is reduced, thereby improving the solubility of the protein. In another embodiment, solubility of the protein is improved by producing truncated forms of the protein that express the LHN domain and a fragment of the Hc domain. Proteins made according to the method of the invention are useful, for example, as immunodiagnostic agents and vaccine components.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses monoclonal and chimeric antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro and enhance protection from lethal infection in vivo. The mouse monoclonal antibody has been humanized and the resulting chimeric antibody provides a previously unknown means to diagnose, prevent and/or treat infections caused by gram positive bacteria bearing lipoteichoic acid. This invention also encompasses a peptide mimic of the lipoteichoic acid epitope binding site defined by the monoclonal antibody. This epitope or epitope peptide mimic identifies other antibodies that may bind to the lipoteichoic acid epitope. Moreover, the epitope or epitope peptide mimic provides a valuable substrate for the generation of vaccines or other therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the cyclic dinucleotide c-di-GMP and cyclic dinucleotide analogues thereof in a method for attenuating virulence of a microbial pathogen or for inhibiting or reducing colonization by a microbial pathogen. This method further inhibits microbial biofilm formation and is capable of treating bacterial infections. The microbial colonization or biofilm formation inhibited or reduced may be on the skin or on nasal or mucosal surface. The microbial colonization or biofilm formation inhibited can also be on the surfaces of medical devices, especially those in close contact with the patient, as well on the surfaces of industrial and construction material where microbial colonization and biofilm formation is of concern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and composition for raising an immune response in an animal. The method comprising administering to the animal a composition comprising a carrier and an antigen bound to a targeting moiety. The targeting moiety binds to at least one receptor that is upregulated on lymphocytes that home to MAdCAM+ mucosal lymphoid tissues.

Abstract: Mycobacterium w or its components are found to have poly TLR antagonistic activity to induced TLRs by varieties of TLR ligands. The induced TLR against which inhibitory effect is seen includes TLR 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. They also display antagonistic activities to effects of TLR ligands. They are also useful in management of diseases wherein TLRs are over expressed, like sepsis, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases multiple myeloma etc.