Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, compositions and methods relating to detection and/or treatment cancer (e.g., one or more tumors) that expresses Neuropilin 1 (NRP1). The present invention provides methods of treating cancer that include administering a chlorotoxin agent to a subject (e.g., to a subject suffering from or susceptible to the cancer which may, in some embodiments, be a cancer that expresses NRP1). In some embodiments, a chlorotoxin agent for use in accordance with the present invention can be or comprise a chlorotoxin polypeptide and a payload moiety (e.g., as a covalent conjugate).

Abstract: The present description relates to chimeric bacteriophage lysins useful for the identification and/or reduction of staphylococcal populations. For example, a chimeric bacteriophage lysin was engineered and shown to effectively kill all strains of staphylococci tested including antibiotic resistant methicillin-resistant S. Aureus and VISA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a live attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine which is deficient for tracheal cytotoxin (TCT), pertussis toxin (PTX), and dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) for prophylaxis or treatment of an allergen-driven airway pathology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine comprising a nucleic acid construct such as a DNA construct especially a nucleic acid construct comprising sequences encoding invariant chain operatively linked to antigenic protein or peptide encoding sequences. The present vaccine stimulates an enhanced immune response.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to immunogenic polypeptides, immunogenic compositions and vaccine compositions and use thereof for immunization of mammals susceptible to Streptococcus suis infection. The disclosure also relates to methods for preparing, formulating and administrating such compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in an individual. The methods provided herein entail administering a composition comprising an isolated Mycobacterium or antigenic fragments derived therefrom. Also provided herein are methods for assessing alleviation of symptoms and/or alteration of immune system functioning following administration of a composition comprising an isolated Mycobacterium or antigenic fragments derived therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human subject has periodontitis. The method comprises detecting, in a sample of saliva from said subject, the concentrations of the proteins Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8). Based on the concentrations determined, and adding age, and possibly other demographic markers such as sex and/or BMI, a testing value reflecting the joint concentrations is determined for said proteins, in combination with one or more demographic markers. The testing value is compared with a threshold value. The threshold reflects in the same manner the joint concentrations and the age, and possibly other demographic markers, as associated with periodontitis and may be seen as an upper limit of testing values as seen in a population of subjects without periodontitis. Thereby a testing value at or above the threshold value is indicative for periodontitis in said subject.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a composition for enhancing an immune checkpoint blockade therapy. A composition for enhancing an immune checkpoint blockade therapy, which contains an exopolysaccharide of a lactic acid bacterium is provided. Preferred examples of the lactic acid bacterium include Lactobacillus bacteria (especially Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus OLL1073 R-1).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aptamers, polynucleotides, and nuclei acid molecules, which include a polynucleotide sequence capable of specifically binding polypeptides participating in M. hyopneumoniae infection. Also provided are methods of using nucleic acid molecules, polynucleotides and synthetic antibodies directed there against for detection, treating and neutralization of M. hyopneumoniae infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing lipid-bacteriophage conjugates, wherein the bacteriophage:lipid ratio is in the range of 3:1 to 100:1 and wherein the lipid is an immunologically active lipid and the bacteriophage is a filamentous bacteriophage, and uses thereof. Preferably, the bacteriophage is engineered to stimulate an immune response and/or bind to a target cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of inducing an immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an immunologically-effective amount of a live Salmonella Typhi vector comprising a heterologous antigen from a pathogen, wherein the heterologous antigen comprises an outer membrane protein, an antigenic fragment thereof or a variant thereof, wherein the antigen is delivered to a mucosal tissue of the subject by an outer membrane vesicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for purification of bacterial capsular polysaccharides, more specifically capsular polysaccharides of gram negative bacteria. The process comprises of concentration and dia filtration of harvest, treatment with anionic detergent and strong alkali followed by centrifugation, diafiltration and cationic detergent based precipitation of bacterial polysaccharides. The process results in significant reduction of endotoxin, protein and nucleic acid impurities thereby providing higher recovery of capsular polysaccharide with the desired O-acetyl levels. Said process is scalable, non-enzymatic, and employs fewer purification steps.

Abstract: Provided is a novel prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for Clostridium difficile infection. It was found that a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus can prevent and/or treat Clostridium difficile infection. The prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for Clostridium difficile infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus. A medicine for prevention and/or treatment of Clostridium difficile infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus. A food for prevention and/or treatment of Clostridium difficile infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-ETEC adhesin protein antibodies and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria, more specifically, novel strains of Lactobacillus reuteri, capable of utilizing ethanolamine. This characteristic makes it possible for the bacteria to compete for the same substrate as pathogenic ethanolamine-utilizing pathogens, thereby presenting an effective means to combat infections resulting from such pathogenic bacteria. There is also provided a method of selecting further ethanolamine-utilizing lactic acid bacteria, as well as other methods and uses involving said novel strains and other ethanolamine-utilizing lactic acid bacteria.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the induction and/or proliferation of CD8+ T-cells. The disclosure also provides methods of treatment of diseases that can be treated by the induction and/or proliferation of CD8+ T-cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified strains of Salmonella, engineered to be tumor navigating and to alter tumor metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Also provided herein are methods of producing and methods of using such genetically modified Salmonella strains to treat cancer.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing or monitoring Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection, which method comprises detecting the presence of the polypeptide (MAP P900) encoded by the positive strand of IS900, or a fragment thereof, in a sample from a subject, wherein MAP P900, or a fragment thereof, is detected using an antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to MAP P900.

Abstract: This invention is directed to vaccine compositions and methods of using the same to prevent infection.

Abstract: A vaccine composition for intranasal administration includes a Bordetella pertussis antigen, and an effective adjuvant amount of a high molecular weight glucose polymer. The high molecular weight glucose polymer may be a beta-glucan. The Bordetella pertussis antigen may be an extracellular toxin, an adhesion protein, an outer membrane protein, a receptor protein, a fragment thereof, or a mixture thereof.