Abstract: This invention is directed to a vaccine for the prevention of disease caused by Bordetella pertussis which comprises the pertussis antigens filamentous hemagglutinin, detoxified lymphocytosis promoting factor and a 69 kilodalton outer membrane protein, where said antigens are individually purified prior to being combined to form the vaccine. The invention is further directed to pertussis vaccines where the antigens are combined in any ratio, including ratios not possible in whole cell or co-purified acellular pertussis vaccines. The pertussis antigens may be further combined with other individually purified pertussis antigens, pertussis structural components, adjuvants, stabilizers and non-pertussis vaccine components.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vaccine for the prevention of disease caused by Bordetella pertussis which comprises the pertussis antigens filamentous hemagglutinin, detoxified lymphocytosis promoting factor and a 69 kilodalton outer membrane protein, where said antigens are individually purified prior to being combined to form the vaccine. The invention is further directed to pertussis vaccines where the antigens are combined in any ratio, including ratios not possible in whole cell or co-purified acellular pertussis vaccines. The pertussis antigens may be further combined with other individually purified pertussis antigens, pertussis structural components, adjuvants, stabilizers and non-pertussis vaccine components.

Abstract: The present invention describes a multiple sample container for use in a method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms in a culture container. The container includes a block having a plurality of through holes for dividing the sample into a plurality of partial samples. Each partial sample has its own head space and its own sensor. The spacial array of partial samples is read out by a CCD camera and split into partial sample to generate a spacial array that results in a substantial reduction in the time to detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigens extracted from mammalian malpighian epithelia, in particular rat esophageal epithelium or human epidermis, which are specifically recognized by the autoantibodies present in patients suffering form rheumatoid arthritis in respect of antigenic determinants in common with filaggrin and human profilaggrin, as well as to the antigenic proteins of which said antigens are composed and to the peptide fragments derived therefrom. The invention relates to the use of these antigens, proteins and peptide fragments, and that of filaggrin and human profilaggrin, for the preparation of antigenic compositions, and to their applications, in particular for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The invention also relates to the preparation of antibodies directed towards these antigens, and to their applications.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vaccine for the prevention of disease caused by Bordetella pertussis which comprises the pertussis antigens filamentous hemagglutinin, detoxified lymphocytosis promoting factor and a 69 kilodalton outer membrane protein, where said antigens are individually purified prior to being combined to form the vaccine. The invention is further directed to pertussis vaccines where the antigens are combined in any ratio, including ratios not possible in whole cell or co-purified acellular pertussis vaccines. The pertussis antigens may be further combined with other individually purified pertussis antigens, pertussis structural components, adjuvants, stabilizers and non-pertussis vaccine components.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vaccine for the prevention of disease caused by Bordetella pertussis which comprises the pertussis antigens filamentous hemagglutinin, detoxified lymphocytosis promoting factor and a 69 kilodalton outer membrane protein, where said antigens are individually purified prior to being combined to form the vaccine. The invention is further directed to pertussis vaccines where the antigens are combined in any ratio, including ratios not possible in whole cell or co-purified acellular pertussis vaccines. The pertussis antigens may be further combined with other individually purified pertussis antigens, pertussis structural components, adjuvants, stabilizers and non-pertussis vaccine components.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for stimulating and enhancing immune responses and for evaluating patient immune responses are disclosed. Disclosed compounds include polypeptides that contain at least a biologically active portion of a Leishmania braziliensis homolog of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4A, or a variant thereof. Such compounds are useful for stimulating a Th1 immune response and IL-12 production in patients, as well as in isolated cells and cell cultures. The polypeptides of this invention are further useful for the evaluation and treatment of patients, who may be afflicted with leishmaniasis or other disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides which induce an immunogenic response in animals to non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and that do not require tedious purification techniques. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides reduce the severity of otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides are synthesized using commercially available peptide synthesizers. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides comprises three peptide units. The first peptide unit is a subunit of the fimbrin protein. Preferably, the fimbrin subunit is comprised of the amino acids of Sequence ID No. 1 or Sequence ID No. 2. The second peptide unit is a t cell epitope, and preferably has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3. The third peptide unit is a linker peptide unit which joins the first and second peptide unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting and diagnosing myocardial infarction which detects myocardial infarction by immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody having specific reactivity for human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as obtained by using human HGF as immunogen as well as a disganostic agent for myocardial infarction which comprises, as essential component thereof, the monoclonal antibody mentioned above. The method of the present invention makes it possible to detect and diagnose patients with myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Methods for determining levels of endotoxin in a sample are provided. These methods are useful in the diagnosis of septicemia. Kits for the detection of endotoxin are also provided.

Abstract: Pertactin (formerly 69 kDa protein) is recovered in stable biologically pure form having no detectable adenylate cyclase activity from fermentation broth from the fermentation of Bordetella pertussis as well as from the cells. The broth is processed to selectively remove pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), the pertactin is precipitated by ammonium sulphate and the precipitate is dissolved in buffer at pH 6.0 to 8.5, the solution then is passed through hydroxyapatite and ion-exchange chromatograph columns before final ultrafiltration. Cells are extracted with urea and the extract ultrafiltered and diafiltered. The pertactin is precipitated from the extract and the precipitate processed as above. In a variation, the broth is contacted with ammonium sulphate to precipitate pertactin, PT and FHA, the precipitate is dissolved and the PT and FHA selectively removed, before the solution is passed to the chromatograph columns.