Abstract: The present invention is a multivalent vaccine for immunizing an animal against filariasis. In some embodiments, the antigens of the multivalent vaccine are protein-based, DNA-based, or a combination thereof. This invention also provides a method and kit for detecting a filarial nematode and determining vaccine efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mucosal vaccine adjuvants containing flagellins, the structural component of flagella, originated from Vibrio vulnificus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes as an active component.

Abstract: Targeted disruption of the centrin gene leads to attenuation of growth in Leishmania. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide attenuated strains of Leishmania useful for the preparation of immunogenic preparations including vaccines against a disease caused by infection with a virulent Leishmania strain and as tools for the generation of immunological and diagnostic reagents. Other preferred embodiments provide related immunogenic compositions, methods of generating an immune response, methods for producing a vaccine, and methods of forming attenuated strains of Leishmania.

Abstract: Hybridoma cell lines which produce and secrete monoclonal antibodies which selectively bind to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis have been produced. Cells of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis in biological samples may be detected and quantified by contacting the sample with the antibodies to form a M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis/antibody immunocomplex when M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis is present, which immunocomplex may then be detected. The monoclonal antibodies also may be incorporated into kits for the detection and quantification of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel L-lysine-inducible promoter nucleic acid molecule. Also disclosed are a vector containing the nucleic acid molecule, a host cell transformed with the vector, and a method of inducing expression of a target gene using the L-lysine-inducible promoter nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant vaccine for porcine atrophic rhinitis. A vaccine is provided which uses a Pasteurella multocida (D:4) outer membrane protein H. The vaccine uses a small size of peptides, so that it exhibits a remarkable activity. In addition, it is possible to provide a vaccine that can be applied in the body through a variety of routes.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of treating cardiovascular diseases in a mammal. The methods include a step of administering an effective amount of a botulinum toxin directly to a blood vessel of a mammal thereby treating a cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and cloning of a novel neutralizing human monoclonal antibody to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining RSV-binding ability, chimeric antibodies retaining RSV-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Finally, the invention provides for diagnostic and therapeutic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide SE36 derived from the N-terminal domain (47 kd) of SERA (serine-repeat antigen) produced by malaria parasite, Plasonodium falciparum, at the erythrocyte stage, a process for purifying said polypeptide, and a malaria vaccine and diagnostic agent using as an active component said purified antigen obtained therefrom. SE36 can be produced in Escherichia coli on a large scale by deleting all or part of polymerized serines of the 47 kd serine-repeat region, whereby high purification is permitted. The human IgG3 antibodies specifically binding to SE36 prevents highly effectively growth of the protozoa in the red blood cells to inhibit fever and cerebral malaria, and further prevent the death.

Abstract: The invention relates to subunit immunogenic or vaccine compositions which may comprise at least one polypeptide of Streptococcus equi and methods for preparing and/or formulating such compositions. The invention also relates to the use of such subunit compositions, such as a method for eliciting an immunogenic response or a protective immune response, which may comprise administering the composition to a mammal susceptible to streptococcal infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating or preventing (including immunising against) post-wearing multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and/or porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition or immune modulator composition comprising a whole cell of a bacterium from one or more of the genera Rhodococcus, Gordonia, Nocardia, Dietzia, Tsukamurella and Nocardioides, to said subject. In addition the method relates to the use of an immune modulator composition or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a whole cell of a bacterium from the genera Rhodococcus, Gordonia, Nocardia, Dietzia, Tsukamurella and Nocardioides, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of post-wearing multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and/or porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS).

Abstract: Methods and kits for simultaneously measuring both members of a binding pair are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biotechnology field, more particularly, to novel recombinant staphylokinase (RGD/KGD-Sak) derivatives and the preparation the thereof. The derivatives, have a low polymerizing ability, low immunogenicity and a bifunctionality of thrombolytics and anticoagulant. Based on the trimensional structural analysis of the monomer and dimer of recombinant staphylokinases and their biochemical properties, we designed two novel bifunctional staphylokinase molecular structures. Mutant genes were constructed by PCR site-directed mutagenesis, which were then recombined with a prokaryotic vector and used to transform E. coli. Engineered strains with a high expression level were selected by screening and propagated by fermentation, followed by disruption of the cells, centrifugation to collect inclusion bodies, renaturation, and purification of RGD/KGD-SAK through a two-step method. After lyophilized, the polymerizing ability and immunogenicity of the products decreased significantly.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the cultivating cells, and in particular to methods for propagating viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel protozoal cyclic GMP dependent protein kinases and genes encoding same that have been isolated from Eimeria maxima and Plasmodium falciparum. Nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins as well as antibodies raised against such proteins are also disclosed. These enzymes may be used in screening assays to identify potential antiprotozoal agents. As well, methods to obtain such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitor are also provided as are therapeutic compositions comprising such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors as well as their use to protect animals from disease caused by parasites such as Eimeria maxima and Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vaccines against malaria infections, based on recombinant viral vectors, such as alpha viruses, adenoviruses or vaccinia viruses. The recombinant viral-based vaccines can be used to immunize against different Plasmodium infections, such as infections by P. falciparum or P. yoelii. Novel codon-optimized circumsporozoite genes are disclosed. Preferably, replication-defective adenoviruses are used, derived from serotypes that encounter low titers of neutralizing antibodies. The invention, therefore, also relates to the use of different adenoviral serotypes that are administered to elicit a strong immune response, either in single vaccination set-ups or in prime-boost set-ups in which compositions based on different serotypes can be applied.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigenic proteins of Chlamydia trachomatis. The proteins of the present invention are useful for eliciting an immune response to Chlamydia in a patient. For example, an effective amount of protein of the present invention or fraction thereof may be administered to a patient for eliciting a Chlamydia specific immune response. In another example, a method of raising an antibody specific for Chlamydia trchomatis elementary bodies (EB) is provided in which a protein of the present invention is administered to a patient.

Abstract: Present invention provides a monoclonal antibody binding to Neisseria bacteria and its target antigen Ag473, which include the sequences of its polynucleotide and its amino acid, wherein the Neisseria bacteria can be Neisseria meningitidis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae; and wherein Ag473 can be made into a vaccine or a diagnostic or therapeutic reagent.

Abstract: This invention describes novel purified and isolated nucleic acid molecules or the fragments thereof, extracted from nematode or arthropod pests or recombinant, which encode P-glycoprotein homologs and regulate resistance to the macrocyclic lactone compounds. The invention further relates to the new P-glycoprotein homolog expression product of these nucleic acids. Also described herein are methods for detecting the gene encoding for resistance to the macrocyclic lactone compounds in nematode or arthropod pests which comprise comparing the nucleic acids extracted from a pest specimen to the nucleic acids encoding for resistance and the nucleic acids encoding for susceptibility to the macrocyclic lactone compounds.

Abstract: A polynucleotide sequence is provided, comprising: a nucleic acid sequence having at least 75% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes recombinant Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen (rPA); or a fragment of said nucleic acid sequence wherein said fragment encodes a fragment of recombinant Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen (rPA). Also provided are expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide sequence of the invention, and methods for producing rPA or a fragment thereof. The invention further provides antigenic compositions and corresponding methods and uses for inducing an immune response.