Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic composition, characterized in that it comprises an adenyl cyclase-hemolysin (AC-Hly) protein, or an immunogenic portion of this AC-Hly, of a strain of Bordetella chosen from B. Tertussis, B. parapertussis or B. bronchiseptica, and in that it comprises, in addition, a bacterial extract containing the expression products of the vrg genes of a strain of Bordetella chosen from B. pertussis, B. parapertussis or B. bronchiseptica, or a portion of these expression products which is sufficient to induce an immune response in a host to which the extract might be administered.

Abstract: Genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. Immune antisera was produced against M.tb antigens. Specific T-cell responses were detected in spleen cells of vaccinated mice and the profile of cytokine secretion in response to antigen 85 was indicative of a Th1 type of helper T-cell response (i.e., high IL-2 and IFN-&ggr;). Protective efficacy of an M.tb DNA vaccine was demonstrated in mice after challenge with M.bovis BCG, as measured by a reduction in mycobacterial multiplication in the spleens and lungs of M.tb DNA-vaccinated mice compared to control DNA-vaccinated mice or primary infection in naive mice.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods and compositions for inducing an immune response in an anti-Gal synthesizing animal including viral and tumor antigens manipulated to express &agr;-galactosyl epitopes.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding FtsZ of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed host cells for expressing the encoded protein, and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit said protein.

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

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

Abstract: The invention provides ribG polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding ribG polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing ribG polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

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: A process for the preparation of chitosan-glucan complexes from biological sources by treating said biological sources with solutions, characterized in that a) chitin-containing microorganisms as said biological sources are treated at least once with a first alkaline solution; b) thereafter, the product obtained from step a) is treated with diluted mineral acid; c) followed by a further treatment with a second alkaline solution the alkalinity of which is higher than that of the alkaline solution of step a) to incomplete deacetylation of the fraction obtained step b); d) separating the solid components, discarding the supernatant, neutralizing and washing the residue with water.

Abstract: The invention provides ribH polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding ribH polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing ribH polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: SigB polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such SigB and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such SigB for the treatment of infection, particularly bacterial infections. Antagonists against such SigB and their use as a therapeutic to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to the presence of SigB nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides in a host. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting polynucleotides encoding SigB operon and for detecting the polypeptide in a host.

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

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a vaccine from substantially viable spirochetal bacteria of Borrelia, preferably Borrelia burgdorferi having immunogenic or therapeutic properties and capable of inducing an immune or therapeutic response against Lyme Disease when administered to a patient is described. The product for use against Lyme Disease is produced by ultrasound treatment of substantially viable spirochetal bacteria of Borrelia burgdorferi. The invention produces a product and a method of treatment that can be used for the immunization and/or therapy of a patient against Lyme Disease to minimize or prevent the contraction of the disease or to treat the disease.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions capable of generating an immune response in mammals against GnRH are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions are effective in methods of treating gonadotropin and gonadal steroid hormone dependent diseases and immunological contraception of mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated 17-kDa Brucclla antigen characterized by an amino acid sequence having at least 60% homology, preferably at least 70% homology, more preferably having at least 80% homology to the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID No. 1 or 2, with said antigen being specifically recognized by sera from Brucella field infected individuals, more particulary an antigen characterized by the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID No. 1 or 2. The invention also relates to recombinantly produced 17 kDa Brucella antigen, nucleic acids coding for the same and the use thereof in diagnostic and prophylactic methods and kits.

Abstract: The invention provides RF-1 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding RF-1 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing RF-1 polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: An isolated and purified non-denatured transferrin receptor protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has an apparent molecular mass of about 80 to about 90 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The transferrin receptor protein or a fragment analog thereof is useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a strain of Moraxella.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions for modulating an immune response to an antigen administered to a host comprise a mineral salt adjuvant and at least one other adjuvant. The compositions provide an adjuvanting effect on an antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable by one of the adjuvants alone. An antigen is covalently bonded to a glycolipid analog to provide a discrete molecule which exhibits an enhanced adjuvanting effect on the antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable in the absence of such covalent bonding.

Abstract: A method and vaccine for treatment of pythiosis in humans and animals is described. In particular a vaccine comprising a mixture of extracellular and intracellular proteins is described. The vaccine enables cures of chronic pythiosis in some patients.

Abstract: Disclosed are the cna gene and cna-derived nucleic acid segments from Staphylococcus aureus, and DNA segments encoding cna from related bacteria. Also disclosed are Col binding protein (CBP) compositions and methods of use. The CBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to Col. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(Col binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of bacterial colonization in an animal such as a human. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of S. aureus infection.