Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid method for the detection of ischemic states and to a kit for use in such a method. Provided for is a rapid method of testing for the existence of and quantifying ischemia based upon method of detecting and quantifying the existence of an alteration of the serum protein albumin which occurs following an ischemic event; methods for detecting and quantifying this alteration include evaluating and quantifying the cobalt binding capacity of circulating blood, analysis and measurement of the ability of serum albumin to bind exogenous cobalt, detection and measurement of the presence of copper in a purified albumin sample and use of an immunological assay sepcific to the alterated form of serum albumin which occurs following an ischemic event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to parasitic helminth thiol specific antioxidant (TSA) larval proteins; to parasitic helminth larval TSA nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such TSA proteins; to antibodies raised against such TSA proteins; and to compounds that inhibit parasitic helminth larval TSA activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic helminths.

Abstract: Antigens for the detection of antibodies to Neospora parasites for the diagnosis of neosporosis have been identified. Recombinant antigens may be produced by expression of DNA sequences derived from Neospora caninum. Both antigens are capable of detecting antibody responses in animals experimentally inoculated with N. caninum but show no evidence of cross-reactivity with serum from animals inoculated with closely related parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii or Sarcocystis species.

Abstract: A molecule, protein or peptide characterized in that it is recognized by cytophilic antibodies from individuals who are immune to infection by Plasmodia, and recognized by non-cytophilic antibodies from individuals who are vulnerable to infection by Plasmodiae. Said antibodies are capable of blocking the erythrocytic phase of the parasite by co-operating with accessory cells such as monocytes.

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus virulence genes are identified, thereby allowing the identification of novel anti-bacterial agents that target these virulence genes and their products, and the provision of novel S. aureus mutants useful in vaccines.

Abstract: Polymers and polymer conjugates comprising crosslinked Staphylococcal protein A, or crosslinked protein A-superantigen, or crosslinked functional derivatives thereof ranging in size from 12kDa to 1O,OOOkDa are useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ITP as well as neoplastic diseases. Compositions and pharmaceutical composition comprising chemically crosslinked polymers of protein A alone or protein A and bacterial enterotoxins, optionally further complexed with immunoglobulins and complement components, are disclosed, as are methods for making and using these compositions in the treatment of diseases. Plasma perfusates of protein A immunadsorbent columns in clinical use are shown to act through the leaching of polymers of protein A and protein A-Staphylococcal enterotoxin B having a broad range of molecular masses.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: Pertactin (formerly 69 kDa protein) is recovered in stable biologically pure form having no detectable adenylate cyclase activity from fermentation broth from the fermentation of Bordetella pertussis as well as from the cells. The broth is processed to selectively remove pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), the pertactin is precipitated by ammonium sulphate and the precipitate is dissolved in buffer at pH 6.0 to 8.5, the solution then is passed through hydroxyapatite and ion-exchange chromatograph columns before final ultrafiltration. Cells are extracted with urea and the extract ultrafiltered and diafiltered. The pertactin is precipitated from the extract and the precipitate processed as above. In a variation, the broth is contacted with ammonium sulphate to precipitate pertactin, PT and FHA, the precipitate is dissolved and the PT and FHA selectively removed, before the solution is passed to the chromatograph columns.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated immunoreactive molecule (IRM) capable of binding to a target molecule from at least one species or sub-species of the insect but not to at least one other species or sub-species of insect and a method of identifying one or more insect species or subspecies and kits therefor. The invention is particularly useful for distinguishing between Lepidopterans such as Helicoverpa aemigera and H. punctigera, and H. zea and Heliothis virescens.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has a molecular mass of about 200 kDa. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides immunoreactive with antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, nucleic acid sequences encoding these peptides, recombinant vector molecules, comprising these nucleic acid sequences, host cells transformed with the recombinant vector molecule, immunochemical reagents comprising the peptides or antibodies directed against the peptides, a test kit for the detection of T. gondii infections as well as a vaccine for the protection against T. gondii infections. In particular the present invention provides peptides comprising part of the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID No.: 1. preferred embodiment of the present invention are peptides comprising at least part of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No.: 3 or 5. It has been found that the peptides according to the present invention are particularly suitable for diagnosing T. gondii infected humans.

Abstract: An immunogenic polypeptide for use in inducing an immune response against Plasmodium infection comprises an amino acid sequence corresponding to a non-full length fragment of the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) of Plasmodium species which does not include a transmembrane domain thereof, and which is stabilised by folding thereof. Production of the immunogenic polypeptide by expression of a recombinant DNA molecule in a host cell, and methods and compositions using the immunogenic polypeptide are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to parasitic nematode transglutaminase proteins; to parasitic nematode transglutaminase nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such transglutaminase proteins; to antibodies raised against such transglutaminase proteins; and to compounds that inhibit parasitic nematode transglutaminase activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic nematodes.

Abstract: A live vaccine of recombinant mutants of a member of the family Pasteurellaceae lacking a rib gene necessary for production of riboflavin as well as a method of vaccination therewith is described. The vaccine is effective against members of the family Pasteurellaceae.

Abstract: The invention provides Def1 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding Def1 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing Def1 polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: Acellular pertussis vaccines comprise purified toxin or toxoid thereof, filamentous haemagglutinin, pertactin and fimbrial agglutinogens formulated to confer protection to at least 70% of members of an at-risk population. The fimbrial agglutinogens may be prepared from a Bordetella strain, particularly a B. pertussis strain, by a multiple step procedure involving extraction of the fimbrial agglutinogens from cell paste and concentrating and purifying the extracted material.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method to detect D. immitis infection in a host animal using a D. immitis Di33 protein to detect anti-D. immitis Di33 antibodies in a bodily fluid of the animal. Also included is a method to detect D. immitis infection in a host animal using a D. immitis anti-Di33 protein to detect Di33 proteins in a bodily fluid of the animal. The present invention also relates to D. immitis detection kits that include either a Di33 protein or an anti-Di33 antibody; such kits also include a composition to detect an immunocomplex between the anti-Di33 antibody and D. immitis Di33 protein. The present invention also includes Di33 proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, as well as recombinant molecules and recombinant cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules, and anti-Di33 antibodies. Also included are methods to produce such proteins, nucleic acid molecules and antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for storing and/or delivering an effective amount of biological or pharmaceutical material to an animal comprising a tube disposed to contain said biological or pharmaceutical material and sealed at its ends and adapted to provide an opening through which the biological or pharmaceutical material exits and is administered to an intended site of the animal.

Abstract: The present invention features an adjuvanted vaccine, and methods for preparing an adjuvanted vaccine, preferably for immunizing against influenza, where the adjuvant is a lipid vesicle, and preferably is a nonphospholipid, paucilamellar lipid vesicle. The antigen may be encapsulated in the central cavity of the adjuvant, or mixed in solution with the adjuvant. Moreover, the adjuvant may carry a secondary adjuvant to further improve the immune response.