Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: In some aspects, methods for treating a bacterial infection in a mammalian subject are provided. In some embodiments, a class IIa HDAC inhibitor such as, e.g., a HDAC4 inhibitor, may be used to treat a bacterial infection such as, e.g., anthrax, pertussis, tuberculosis, or cholera.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. The antibody is capable of binding to a muramyl peptide, or a derivative or an analog or a salt thereof. The muramyl peptide comprises muramic acid and an amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, isoglutamine, glutamic acid, and a salt thereof. Also disclosed are methods of producing the antibody, compositions comprising the antibody, methods of treating using the antibody, uses of the antibody, methods of detecting muramyl peptide, an assay for detecting muramyl peptide, an antibacterial agent, hybridomas and kits.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that Salmonella enterica serogroup C2-3 serovars cross protect against Salmonella enterica serogroup C1 serovars and vice versa. Therefore, the present invention discloses the use of either a Salmonella enterica serogroup C2-3 serovar or a Salmonella enterica serogroup C1 serovar in the manufacture of a vaccine for administration to poultry to protect against a disorder arising from a Salmonella enterica serogroup C2-3 serovar and/or a disorder arising from a Salmonella enterica serogroup C1 serovar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for measuring a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one class C beta-lactamase, a functional fragment or variant thereof; (b) providing at least one biological sample; (c) contacting said at least one class C beta-lactamase with said at least one biological sample; and (d) determining the concentration of said free beta-lactam antibiotic in said at least one biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of phage therapy for the treatment and control of bacterial infections. In particular, the present invention is directed to the novel bacteriophages F1245/05, F168/08, F170/08, F770/05, F197/08, F86/06, F87s/06 and F91a/06, isolated polypeptides thereof, compositions comprising one or more of the novel bacteriophages and/or isolated polypeptides and methods for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infection, either alone or in combination with other antibacterial therapies, e.g., antibiotics or other phage therapies.

Abstract: The invention provides Chlamydia antigens for use in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection. In particular, the invention provides antigens CT733, CT153, CT601, CT279, CT443, CT372, CT456, CT381, CT255, CT341, CT716, CT745, CT387, CT812, CT869, CT166, CT175, CT163, CT214, CT721, CT127, CT043, CT823 and/or CT600 from C. trachomatis for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection.

Abstract: Methods of immunizing older adult subjects against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection are provided. Provided methods comprise immunization of naïve adult subjects with a conjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Optionally, initial immunization may be followed by additional immunization doses comprising conjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or unconjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide fragments which have one or more shared and/or similar amino acid sequences to amino acid sequences of specific portions of the 14 kDa protein of S. mansoni (SM14) or related FABPs (Fatty Acid Binding Proteins), the peptide fragments functioning as continuous or discontinuous epitopic regions of the molecule or mimicking its biological activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for constructing active peptide fragments, peptide fragments, immunogenic compositions and diagnostic kits using peptide fragments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of detecting a cancer and/or a carcinogenic risk, and a reagent for the detection thereof. The present invention also provides a method for screening for a pharmaceutical drug for reducing a carcinogenic risk and a pharmaceutical composition. Since cancer development closely correlates with alteration in gut microbiota, cancer development and/or a risk of cancer development are detected by detecting alteration in gut microbiota and a secondary bile acid produced by an intestinal bacterium. The present invention further provides a method for screening for a pharmaceutical drug with a gut microbiota as an index, and a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A CyaA-deficient B. pertussis mutant was constructed and used in a vaccine. The pertussis-specific antibody profile and Th17 response induced by vaccination with the mutant was surprisingly comparable to that induced by B. pertussis strains not deficient in CyaA.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surface proteins of Moraxella catarrhalis and their ability to interact with epithelial cells via cell-associated fibronectin and laminin, and also to their ability to inhibit the complement system. These surface proteins are useful in the preparation of vaccines. The present disclosure also provides peptides interacting with fibronectin, laminin and the complement system.

Abstract: The invention concerns antibodies or fragments thereof that are directed against a Staphylococcus aureus epitope.

Abstract: A premixed multivalent vaccine in ready-to-use form comprising PCV2 ORF2 capsid antigen and M. hyopneumoniae antigen that reduces or prevents PCV2 infection and/or M. hyopneumoniae infection in pigs after a single dose administration of the vaccine is disclosed.

Abstract: An effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens are identified for use in immunisation. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising Plasmodium sporozoite-stage parasites and compatible glycolipid adjuvants useful in vaccines for preventing or reducing the risk of malaria. In particular, human host range Plasmodium and analogues of ?-galactosylceramide (?-GalCer), a ligand for natural killer T (NKT) cells, are combined in pharmaceutical compositions, which are useful as vaccines against malaria. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain of Bacteroides uniformes with registration number CECT 7771, and to the cellular constituents, metabolites and/or secreted molecules thereof. The invention also relates to a composition (nutritional or pharmaceutical) comprising at least one of the previous products. The invention further relates to the use of a strain of Bacteroides uniforms, preferably CECT 7771, or of the cellular constituents, metabolites and/or secreted molecules of said strain, or of a composition comprising same, for the prevention and/or treatment of alterations such as excess weight, obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy, hepatic steatosis or fatty liver, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, dysfunction of the immune system, reduced defenses against infections, and imbalance in the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified V2 fHbp having increased stability over a wild type V2 fHbp; a modified V2 fHbp having an amino acid sequence with at least 85% identity to the sequence of Seq ID No: 1, wherein both Ser137 and Gly138 are mutated or both Val112 and Leu114 are mutated; immunogenic, pharmaceutical and vaccine compositions; nucleic acid and a host cell; and methods of use of such compositions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of production of natural products and, in particular, in the field of production of cornexistin and hydroxycornexistin. It provides polynucleotides encoding polypeptides involved in the biosynthesis of cornexistin and hydroxycornexistin as well as vectors and recombinant microorganisms comprising such polynucleotides. Also provided are methods for the production of natural products, in particular methods for the production of cornexistin and hydroxycornexistin, using such polynucleotides and polpeptides encoded therein, as well as vectors and recombinant microorganisms comprising such polynucleotides and polypeptides.