Abstract: Probiotic compositions containing non-pathogenic microbial entities, e.g., bacterial or fungal entities, are described herein. The probiotic compositions may optionally contain or be used in conjunction with one or more prebiotics. Uses of the probiotic compositions to treat or prevent transplant disorders, e.g., graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising bacterial strains for treating and preventing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Bacterial hyperswarmers are disclosed for treatment, prevention and diagnosis conditions such as intestinal inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the seminal discovery that P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) modulates the immune system and immune responses. Specifically, the present invention provides PSGL-1 agonists and antagonists which increase the survival of multifunctional T cells and viral clearance. The present invention further provides methods of treating infectious diseases, cancer and immune and inflammatory diseases and disorders using a PSGL-1 modulator.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits use in for preventing and treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), in particular, recurrent VVC.

Abstract: An immune-modulating biomaterial comprising a hydrogel scaffold coupled to D-amino acid containing peptides having unexpected properties in vivo is described. For example, certain inflammatory reactions in vivo are significantly increased around the D-peptide containing particles of hydrogel scaffold as compared to particles that contain both L and D peptides or L peptides alone. In addition, these D-peptide compositions are further observed to enhance wound healing and improve the tensile strength of healed tissues. For these and other reasons, the D-amino acid hydrogel materials disclosed herein are useful in a number of methodologies that seek to modulate the immune response and/or wound healing.

Abstract: The invention improves TdaP vaccines by including a TLR agonist in them. This agonist can provide stronger protection, longer-lasting protection, and/or can reduce the amount of antigen which is required to achieve a particular immune response.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel functional antibody coated nanoparticles, and the preparation method thereof. The functional antibody coated nanoparticles according to the present invention can be used as photothermal agents to effectively inhibit the growth of microbes including drug-resistant strains and biolfilm with laser irradiation.

Abstract: Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for reducing growth of microorganisms in a feed. Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for providing beneficial effects to animals, including but not limited to increasing performance of the animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides new derivatives of CATH2 or CMAP27, one of the cathelicidins. These derivatives comprise N-terminally truncated peptides, cyclic peptides, D-amino acid variants of CATH2 and its truncated derivatives, inverso and retroinverso CATH2 derivatives. These derivatives are useful as anti-infectives, in vaccines, and especially for in ovo applications. Further, for the above derivatives and also for the already known C-terminally truncated derivatives new immunoactivating functions have been described that are particularly advantageous for prophylactic treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods promoting the aggregation of Salmonella bacteria in the gut of subjects, thereby providing immune exclusion and limiting bacterial entry, therefore reducing mucosal and systemic infection.

Abstract: Definitive diagnosis and early start of treatment cannot be made for tuberculosis since conventional methods for detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex require a long time plus enormous labor and expense. Because detection is difficult to perform directly from a biological sample, if the biological sample contains no or a very small amount of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-specific secretory protein, there is a risk infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex will be missed.

Abstract: Definitive diagnosis and early start of treatment cannot be made for tuberculosis since conventional methods for detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex require a long time plus enormous labor and expense. Because detection is difficult to perform directly from a biological sample, if the biological sample contains no or a very small amount of MPT64, there is a risk infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex will be missed. The present method and a kit address these long-standing needs by more rapidly and conveniently detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, without culturing a biological sample containing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, in which a biological sample is subjected to a heat-treatment so as to extracellularly secrete a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-specific secretory protein, particularly, MPB64, and subjecting the resulting treated sample to an immunological measurement/assay.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a protein isolate of the biomass of microalgae of the genus Chlorella, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: supplying a microalgal biomass produced by fermentation, washing the biomass so as to eliminate the soluble interstitial compounds and concentrating the biomass, mechanically grinding the washed and concentrated biomass in a horizontal ball grinder-type system in order to produce an emulsion, destructuring the emulsion thus produced, triple-phase separation so as to separate the soluble fraction from the fractions containing the lipids and the cell debris, recovery of the soluble fraction thus produced in order to produce the soluble protein isolate, then evaporation, pasteurisation and atomisation of said protein isolate.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an individual is infected with mycobacteria. The method comprising the steps of (a) providing a system which comprises at least two different mycolic-acid derived antigens; (b) introducing a sample obtained from the individual into the system and into contact with each of the at least two different mycolic-acid derived antigens; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of the binding of a biomarker in the sample with each antigen in the system. The method may be particularly suitable for determining the presence or absence of a disease antibody indicative of infection with any disease caused by infection with mycobacteria, for example tuberculosis, leprosy, pulmonary disease, burili ulcer, Johne's disease and bovine tuberculosis. A kit and device are also described. The present invention may provide an over the counter device to allow individuals to check on a routine basis that they have normal immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating blepharitis and dry eye by inhibiting the binding ability of lid flora bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, thus inhibiting biofilm formation and the increase in bacterial populations and densities that lead to quorum-sensing-gene activation and therefore, the production of inflammatory virulence factors.

Abstract: A prokaryotic protein appearing to have a Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain, previously known in eukaryotes, has been identified. Expression of this protein causes formation of outer membrane extensions.

Abstract: A spore-forming Bacillus species, and more particularly, a Bacillus subtilis strain identified as MB40 is provided. Compositions comprising the MB40 strain, methods of making products comprising the same, and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens for use in in vivo determination of the presence of Mtb infection in immunocompromised persons or persons co-infected with HIV and the for preparing a diagnostic reagent for skin testing (a skin test reagent) for robust assessment of the presence of Mtb infection infection in an individual wherein the individual is an immunocompromised person or a person co-infected with HIV.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is a mycolic acid wax ester derived antigen.