Abstract: The present invention relates to a lactic acid bacterium isolated from human mother's milk, more precisely a Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 strain that is isolated from Korean mother's milk and has excellent probiotic activity including acid resistance, bile acid resistance and antimicrobial activity and weight gaining inhibitory effect as well. Again, the Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 of the present invention has excellent acid resistance, bile acid resistance, enteric absorption activity and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms, in addition to the weight gaining inhibitory effect by synthesizing indigestible polysaccharides from monosaccharides included in food taken and releasing the synthesized polysaccharides out of the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for immunizing against infection by Chlamydia trachomatis. The methods and compositions rely, in part, on administering an immunogenic composition comprising one or more peptides derived from C. trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP) to a subject to be immunized. In some embodiments, the compositions comprise a chimeric immunogens, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, and kits comprising the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns nucleic acids coding for polypeptides specific of the Neisseria genus pathogenic strains, the corresponding polypeptides, and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein, preferably a hyperimmune serum-reactive antigen from Borrelia, a vector comprising such nucleic acid molecule, a host cell comprising such vector, a protein, preferably a hyperimmune serum-reactive antigen from Borrelia, a process for producing such protein, a process for producing a cell which expresses such protein, an antibody that binds to such protein, a hybridoma cell producing such antibody, a method for producing such antibody, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody, use of such nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody for the manufacture of a medicament, a method for identifying an antagonist capable of reducing or inhibiting the activity of such protein, a method for diagnosis or treatment of an infection with a pathogen causing Lyme disease or an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods of detection of Bacillus anthracis that use oligonucleotide probes specific for genetic material contained in the pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids in nucleic acid hybridization reactions. Embodiments of the method may include additional probes specific for other gene sequences to distinguish B. anthracis from other bacterial species present in a sample or to provide an indication that the assay was performed properly even when no Bacillus sequence is detected.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B) and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus, including amino acid sequences and corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies, and as targets for antibiotics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strain of Escherichia sp., capable of producing O-acetyl homoserine in high yield, with the introduction and enhancement therein of the activity of: homoserine acetyl transferase, aspartokinase and homoserine dehydrogenase; and at least one enzyme selected from a group consisting of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, aspartate aminotransferase and aspartate semi-aldehyde dehydrogenase. Also, a method of producing O-acetyl homoserine using the strain is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes recombinant and synthetic polypeptides of Bartonella henselae and related methods and kits for the detection of antibodies specific for Bartonella henselae. The 17-kDa polypeptides, methods and kits are useful in the detection of recent and/or ongoing infections with Bartonella henselae, which can be useful in the diagnosis of Cat Scratch Disease (CSD).

Abstract: The present invention provides attenuated Toxoplasma gondii knockout mutants of the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway and use of the same in vaccines and methods of providing an immune response and protecting a subject against infection by T. gondii and a non-T. gondii disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions and methods for using the same. Generally, the vaccine is used to prevent infection of a microorganism that produces an HIF inducing compound. Accordingly, vaccines of the invention comprise at least a portion of an HIF inducing compound that is produced by the microorganism.

Abstract: Methods, devices, kits and compositions for detecting the presence or absence of roundworm in a mammalian sample are disclosed herein. The methods, devices, kits and compositions of the present invention may be used to confirm the presence or absence of roundworm in a fecal sample from a mammal that may also be infected with one or more of hookworm, whipworm, and heartworm. Confirmation of the presence or absence of roundworm in the mammal may be made, for example, for the purpose of selecting an optimal course of treating the mammal and/or for the purpose of determining whether the mammal has been rid of the infection after treatment has been initiated.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a chimeric protein comprising the NTHi twitching pilus major subunit protein (PilA) presenting a portion of the NTHi OMP P5 protein. The invention provides for vaccine compositions comprising the recombinant chimeric protein and methods of eliciting an immune response using the recombinant chimeric proteins of the invention.

Abstract: Described in this application is a synthetic P. vivax circumsporozoite protein useful as a diagnostic reagent, for antibody production, and as a vaccine protective against infection with any strain of P. vivax.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaccine for edwardsiellosis and streptococcosis in a fish. Specifically, disclosed is a vaccine for edwardsiellosis in a fish, which comprises inactivated cells of (A) an Edwardsiella tarda strain derived from the target fish, and inactivated cells of (B) an Edwardsiella tarda strain derived from a fish other than the target fish, wherein, when the strain (A) is a typical Edwardsiella tarda strain, the strain (B) is an atypical Edwardsiella tarda strain, whereas when the strain (A) is an atypical Edwardsiella tarda strain, the strain (B) is a typical Edwardsiella tarda strain. Also specifically disclosed is a vaccine for edwardsiellosis and/or streptococcosis in a fish, which comprises the components mentioned above and inactivated cells of (C) Streptococcus iniae and/or Streptococcus parauberis.