Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions that have substantially purified Christensenellaceae bacteria, and uses of these compositions to alter the microbiome of an individual. The addition of Christensenellaceae bacteria, such as Christensenella, to the microbiome of an individual can treat or prevent weight gain, reduce body weight, inhibit fat accumulation, reduce excess adiposity, and reduce a high body mass index (BMI), and can also treat or prevent conditions correlating with excess weight and fat and a high BMI, such as insulin sensitivity, metabolic syndrome, excess adiposity, and diabetes.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising substantially non-viable Gram-negative bacterial organisms that have a substantial reduction in endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity and methods for treating a cancer using the same. Also provided are methods for treating cancer provided herein, comprising administering to a mammal diagnosed with cancer, substantially non-viable Gram-negative bacteria having a substantial reduction in endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity, in an amount sufficient to inhibit growth or metastasis of the cancer. An additional method is provided comprising administering viable or non-viable Gram-negative bacterial organisms that have a genetic defect that results in a substantial loss of lipopolysaccharide within the outer membrane of the bacteria. Further provided are methods for reducing endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity in Gram-negative bacteria comprising treatment with polymyxin and glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: Clostridium difficile is the most common hospital acquired pathogen in the United States, and infection is in many cases fatal. Toxins A and B are its major virulence factors, but increasingly a third toxin may be present, known as C. difficile transferase (CDT). An ADP-ribosyltransferase that causes actin cytoskeletal disruption, CDT is typically produced by the major, hypervirulent strains and has been associated with more severe disease. It is disclosed herein that CDT enhances the virulence of two PCR-ribotype 027 strains in mice. The toxin induces pathogenic host inflammation via a novel Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) dependent pathway, resulting in the suppression of a protective host eosinophilic response. Finally, it is disclosed that restoration of TLR2 deficient eosinophils is sufficient for protection from a strain producing CDT. These findings offer an explanation for the enhanced virulence of CDT-expressing C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising Brachyspira hyodysenteriae bacteria, particularly in the field of immunization against swine dysentery. The composition of the invention may comprise bacteria from at least two genetically diverse strains of B. hyodysenteriae. The composition of the invention may also comprise bacteria of a strain deposited at the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (CNCM), Institut Pasteur, on Mar. 14, 2013, with registration number CNCM I-4720. The invention relates also to the composition of the invention for use as a vaccine, preferably a universal vaccine against swine dysentery caused by B. hyodysenteriae.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising leukotoxin, including methods to treat lymphoma, and methods to diagnose lymphoma. The lymphoma includes lymphoma cells expressing activated LFA-1, and the leukotoxin binds to the activated LFA-1 on the lymphoma cells and destroys the lymphoma cells by apoptosis or necrosis, thereby treating said lymphoma.

Abstract: Antimicrobial peptides and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: The invention especially relates to multivalent vaccine compositions that can treat or prevent at least 60, preferably 75% of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis especially of serogroup B. To this end, the invention in particular provides a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of N. meningitidis in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an ? chain of L6 or L8 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 and in position O-6 or O-7 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent, and also to the construction of the strain of N. meningitidis that is capable of expressing such an LOS. The invention also relates to a strain of N. meningitidis of serogroup A that bears a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an ? chain of L6 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent and does not bear a PEA substituent in positions O-6 and O-7.

Abstract: An adenoviral vector comprising a promoter further comprising a fragment of the 5? untranslated region of the CMV IE1 gene including intron A and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a pathogen or tumor antigen for use as a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention provides CRZ1 mutant fungal host cells, such as Pichia pastoris. The mutant fungal host cells exhibit temperature-resistance, enhanced fermentation robustness and increased expression of heterologous polypeptides such as immunoglobulins. Methods for producing heterologous polypeptides, such as immunoglobulins, using such mutant fungal host cells are within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: This disclosure provides attenuated Histophilus somni strains, compositions comprising same, and methods of production and use thereof. The attenuated strains may express lower or no levels of various virulence-associated genes, relative to the corresponding pathogenic bacteria Advantageously, the attenuated Histophilus somni strains may be administered orally, intranasally, intra-tracheally, or subcutaneously.

Abstract: The use of flagellin and flagellin related polypeptides for the protection of mammals from the effects of apoptosis is described.

Abstract: A method for continuous in vitro propagation of Babesia microti and microti-like species is disclosed. The method comprises incubating B. microti in culture medium comprising host erythrocytes in the presence of a source of complement and a source of anti-B. microti IgM antibody. In one embodiment, the source of anti-B. microti IgM antibody is substantially free of IgG antibody. In one embodiment, the source of complement is a cell or cell line that secretes complement.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated metal regulated polypeptides obtainable from a Campylobacter spp., and compositions including the polypeptides. The present invention also includes methods for using the compositions disclosed herein, including methods for treating in infection in a subject, for treating a condition caused by a Campylobacter spp., and for decreasing colonization of an animal.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins and compositions for the treatment and prevention of Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus; GBS).

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising substantially non-viable Gram-negative bacterial organisms that have a substantial reduction in endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity and methods for treating a cancer using the same. Also provided are methods for treating cancer provided herein, comprising administering to a mammal diagnosed with cancer, substantially non-viable Gram-negative bacteria having a substantial reduction in endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity, in an amount sufficient to inhibit growth or metastasis of the cancer. An additional method is provided comprising administering viable or non-viable Gram-negative bacterial organisms that have a genetic defect that results in a substantial loss of lipopolysaccharide within the outer membrane of the bacteria. Further provided are methods for reducing endotoxin activity and/or pyrogenicity in Gram-negative bacteria comprising treatment with polymyxin and glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: A method of eliciting an immune response in an organism comprising: providing an unprocessed rolling circle amplification (RCA) product; and administering an effective amount of the unprocessed RCA product to the organism to elicit the immune response, wherein the unprocessed RCA product is prepared from a circular nucleic acid template comprising at least one promoter sequence, and at least one target sequence. A vaccine comprising unprocessed RCA product is also provided and methods for making the same.