Abstract: Multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines are administered according to a schedule in which a first dose is administered to a patient aged between 0 and 12 months, and a second dose is administered to the patient aged between 12 and 24 months.

Abstract: Antibiotics (Abx) are the world's most misused drugs. Antibiotics misuse occurs when the drug is administered in case of a non-bacterial infection (such as a viral infection) for which it is ineffective. Overall, it is estimated that 40-70% of the worldwide Abx courses are mis-prescribed. The financial and health consequences of Abx over-prescription include the direct cost of the drugs, as well as the indirect costs of their side effects, which are estimated at >$15 billion annually. Furthermore, over-prescription directly causes the emergence of Abx-resistant strains of bacteria, which are recognized as one of the major threats to public health today. This generates an immediate need for reliable diagnostics to assist physicians in correct Abx prescription, especially at the point-of-care (POC) where most Abx are prescribed. Accordingly, some aspects of the present invention provide methods using biomarkers for rapidly detecting the source of infection and administrating the appropriate treatment.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response against Neisseria spp. bacteria in a subject, particularly against a Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strain.

Abstract: A synthetic multiphase product including an isolated biofilm surface layer protein A (BslA), wherein the BslA has the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 28 or a variant thereof that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28.

Abstract: Described here is a method for reducing or preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation in a human subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the human subject a first composition comprising (a) an antigen-binding polypeptide that binds Pf-family bacteriophage, or (b) a vaccine against Pf-family bacteriophage. Also described is an antigen-binding polypeptide that binds specifically to a CoaB protein of Pf-family bacteriophage or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Variant factor H binding proteins that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for at least one strain of Neisseria meningitidis, compositions comprising such proteins, and methods of use of such proteins, are provided.

Abstract: Described is a method for the generation of a live vaccine containing stable bacteria carrying at least three attenuating mutations and a vaccine containing bacteria obtained by said method.

Abstract: Multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines are administered according to a schedule in which at least one or two doses are administered to a patient aged between 0 and 12 months, and a further dose is administered to a patient aged between 12 and 24 months.

Abstract: Polyclonal antibodies specific for serogroup X of N. meningitidis and uses thereof in diagnosis. The present invention is directed to polyclonal antibodies, specific for the capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X (NmX), wherein said antibodies are suitable for in vitro detection of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X in biological fluids without culture. The invention also concerns said polyclonal antibodies in different diagnostic tests and methods, in order to detect Nm X. The invention discloses also a rapid diagnostic test for detecting NmX in a biological fluid, as well as a method for obtaining polyclonal antibodies useful for detecting NmX in biological fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, serum and urine.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject by administering Bifidobacterium longum strain NCIMB 41676 are discussed. The method may include orally administering a formulation comprising Bifidobacterium longum strain NCIMB 41676 to improve sleep.

Abstract: A particle construct is disclosed that includes a synthetic core with a solid surface coated with a lipid bilayer, SpoVM adhered to the lipid bilayer; and SpoIVA adsorbed to the SpoVM. In additional embodiments, an agent of interest can be covalently linked to the SpoIVA. In specific, non-limiting examples, the agent of interest is an enzyme, a detectable marker, a pharmaceutical compound, an immunosuppressant or a vaccine. Methods of using the particle constructs are disclosed, such as for treating infections, treating a tumor, delivering a vaccine, treating an autoimmune disorder or ameliorating an allergic reaction. Method are also disclosed for degrading an environmental pollutant. Methods are also disclosed for producing these particle constructs.

Abstract: This disclosure provides microbes engineered to detect virulent and spore states of pathogens and release an appropriate therapeutic response accordingly and compositions and methods of use of the same.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a new strain belonging to the species Lactobacillus paracasei able to convert linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid. The present invention refers also to nutritional or food preparations and/or pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the strain Lactobacillus paracasei, useful in the treatment and/or prevention of pathologies and/or physiological states related to conjugated linoleic acid deficiency or in the cases wherein the use of a probiotic is beneficial.

Abstract: Adjuvants comprising chitosan cross-linked with an aldehyde or mannosylated chitosan are provided herein. Methods of making the adjuvants and methods of combining or linking the adjuvants with antigens are also provided. The adjuvant-antigen combinations can be used in vaccine formulations and the vaccine formulations can be used in methods to vaccinate animals against the source of the antigen or to enhance the immune response in a subject.

Abstract: Novel nutritional compositions and methods for their manufacture, administration and use are disclosed. The nutritional compositions of the present invention are useful for the feeding of immature mammals, particularly those used for food, and/or performance animals, such as horses, and for companion animals, such as dogs and cats. The nutritional compositions and supplements of the present invention are effective in supporting the growth and health of the immature mammal, in supporting and stimulating its immune system, and in mitigating undesirable infections and other. Additionally, particular fractions of the unique peptides produced by the disclosed methods can be separated and utilized as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A lactic acid bacterium having increased immunopotentiating activity with being mixed with no ester compound of polyol and a fatty acid is provided. A method for producing a lactic acid bacterium whose immunopotentiating activity is increased without coexisting with ester compound of polyol and a fatty acid, comprising: contacting a lactic acid bacterial immunopotentiating activity-increasing composition comprising an ester compound of a polyol and a fatty acid as an active ingredient with a lactic acid bacterium having immunopotentiating activity and then washing the lactic acid bacterium to remove the lactic acid bacterial immunopotentiating activity-increasing composition.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a commensal gut production platform for ex vivo production of human gut commensal microbiota. Another embodiment provides devices, systems and methods for ex vivo culturing of gut microflora in a system that mimics the human gut environment. The culturing of the commensal microbiota in the disclosed systems produces gut microbiota having defined characteristics and properties that can be exploited to treat various conditions in a subject.

Abstract: Attenuated vaccines to protect vertebrate animals and people against tick-born rickettsial, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species infections is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods to modify the organism to achieve the desired immunity through the modification of a novel genetic region involved in pathogenesis. These compounds represent a needed vaccine against an organism causing life-threatening febrile illness in humans and animals, and also represent the potential to develop new classes of drugs targeting the gene products of genes Ech_0379 and Ech_0230, and their homologs of other related rickettsial pathogens.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a conjugate of a S. aureus type 5 or type 8 capsular polysaccharide and a carrier molecule, comprising the steps of: (a) depolymerising the capsular polysaccharide, to give a polysaccharide fragment; (b) oxidising the fragment in order to introduce an aldehyde group into at least one saccharide residue in the fragment, to give an oxidised saccharide residue; and (c) coupling the oxidised saccharide residue to a carrier molecule via the aldehyde group, thereby giving the conjugate. The coupling in step (c) may be direct, or may be via a linker molecule. The invention also provides a conjugate obtained or obtainable by this process.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure provide engineered exopolysaccharide-associated proteins, engineered bacteria expressing such proteins, and engineered biofilms comprising such proteins. Some aspects of this disclosure provide methods for engineering exopolysaccharide-associated proteins, and for the generation of engineered bacteria and biofilms expressing or comprising such proteins. Some aspects of this disclosure provide compositions and methods useful for the generation of vaccines and the vaccination of subjects, for delivering molecules of interest to a target site, for example, a surface, for purification of molecules of interest, for example, from bioreactors comprising engineered bacteria as provided herein, and for bioremediation applications, such as the cleanup of environmental pollutants.