Abstract: A tablet for insertion into a vagina including 0.01 to 500 mg of a vaginal medication, such as a microbicide, such as cellulose acetate 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate (CAP); 100 to 500 mg of mannitol powder; 50 to 300 mg of inert microcrystalline cellulose; 10 to 80 mg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; 50 to 250 mg of glycerol and optionally 2 to 4 mg of at least one preservative which protects against microbicidal contamination and discourages the growth of yeast in the vagina. The tablet which includes CAP as the vaginal medication is vaginally administered before coitus in methods for preventing the sexual transmission of HIV-1, HIV-2, herpesvirus, or an infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Haemophilus ducreyi or Treponema pallidum. The tablet which includes CAP as the vaginal medication is vaginally administered to prevent or treat bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: An intravaginal bio-erodible microbicidal barrier device. The device comprises (a) at least one micronized compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and (b) at least one pectin, such as an apple pectin, and optionally at least one water soluble or water dispersible cellulose compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and hydroxypropylethylcellulose. The device is prepared by a combination of foaming, freezing and freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: An intravaginal bio-erodible microbicidal barrier device. The device comprises (a) at least one micronized compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and (b) at least one water soluble or water dispersible cellulose compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and hydroxypropylethylcellulose. The device is prepared by a combination of foaming, freezing and freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: An intravaginal bio-erodible microbicidal barrier device. The device comprises (a) at least one micronized compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and (b) at least one water soluble or water dispersible cellulose compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and hydroxypropylethylcellulose; or a pectin, such as an apple pectin. The device is prepared by a combination of foaming, freezing and freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: An intravaginal bio-erodible microbicidal barrier device. The device comprises (a) at least one micronized compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and (b) at least one water soluble or water dispersible cellulose compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and hydroxypropylethylcellulose. The device is prepared by a combination of foaming, freezing and freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: A method for immunizing a human against hepatitis B virus comprising administering to the human a vaccine comprising a hepatitis B virus surface antigen, wherein included in the vaccine is one or more antigens of non-permitted variant sequences within residues S(139-147) of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the frequency of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus or herpesviruses or for preventing the transmission of or treating a sexually transmitted bacterial infection by administering to a human an anti-human immunodeficiency virus amount or an anti-herpesvirus amount or an anti-bacterial amount of cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP), such as in micronized form, or a combination thereof, either alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The CAP and/or HPMCP may be employed as a suspension of micronized particles and may further contain a water miscible, non-solvent for CAP or HPMCP, such as glycerol.

Abstract: A composition is provided which comprises a protein or peptide containing lysines, wherein at least one of the lysines and/or the N-terminal amino group of the protein or peptide, such as casein, .beta.-lactoglobulin, powdered milk or whey, is modified by contact with an aromatic acid anhydride compound, such as trimellitic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride chloride or 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride. Additionally a composition is provided wherein a protein or peptide containing arginines is modified by an arginine modifying agent containing at least one carboxyl group, such as p-carboxyphenylglyoxal. The compositions are capable of binding to CD4 cell receptors, such as the HIV-1 or HIV-2 binding site on CD4 cell receptors. The compositions are thus useful for the prevention of HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection, especially by local administration.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the frequency of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus or herpesviruses by administering to a human an anti-human immunodeficiency virus amount or an anti-herpesvirus amount of cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP), such as in micronized form, or a combination thereof, either alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The CAP and/or HPMCP may be employed as a suspension of micronized particles and may further contain a water miscible, non-solvent for CAP or HPMCP, such as glycerol.

Abstract: A method of preventing the transmission of or treating herpesvirus, such as herpes simplex virus infection, or Chlamydia trachomatis comprising administering to a patient a composition which comprises: (i) a protein or peptide containing lysines and an N-terminal amino group, wherein at least one of the lysines or the N-terminal amino group of the protein or peptide, such as casein, .beta.-lactoglobulin, powdered milk or whey, is modified by contact with an aromatic acid anhydride compound, such as trimellitic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride chloride or 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride and/or (ii) a protein or peptide containing arginines, which is modified by an arginine modifying agent containing at least one carboxyl group, such as p-carboxyphenylglyoxal.

Abstract: A synthetic HIV-1-based polypeptide as well as methods for treating HIV-1 infections are provided herein. The polypeptide of the present invention has an amino acid sequence substantially corresponding to a specified region of the HIV-1.sub.IIIB virus. The polypeptide of the present invention may be administered in effective amounts for preventing and treating HIV-1 infections. The polypeptide is useful for inhibiting the replication of the HIV-1 virus as well as HIV-1-mediated cytopathogenesis and cell fusion at levels which are within acceptable ranges of cytotoxicity.

Abstract: A method for the screening of a test compound for inhibiting the binding of a CD4-HIV 1 complex to HIV-1 second receptors, comprising: (a) preparing a magnetic ligand by mixing a magnetic, CD4-containing substrate with HIV-1, (b) mixing the magnetic ligand from step (a) with a test compound, (c) adding cells that express the HIV-1 second receptors to the mixture from step (b), (d) separating cells with bound magnetic ligands from cells without bound magnetic ligands by contact with a magnetic separator, and (e) quantifying the cells with bound magnetic ligands and quantifying the cells without bound magnetic ligands.

Abstract: A method for preventing pregnancy in a mammal such as a human, by introducing into the reproductive tract of the mammal an effective contraceptive amount of beta-lactoglobulin, either alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier or diluent.

Abstract: A synthetic HIV-1-based polypeptide as well as methods for topically inhibiting HIV-1 infectivity or replication. The polypeptide of the present invention has an amino acid sequence substantially corresponding to a specified region of the HIV-1.sub.IIIB virus. The polypeptide of the present invention may be administered in effective amounts for topically inhibiting HIV-1 infectivity or replication. The polypeptide is useful for inhibiting the replication of the HIV-1 virus as well as HIV-1-mediated cytopathogenesis and cell fusion at levels which are within acceptable ranges of cytotoxicity.

Abstract: A composition having a protein binding solid support onto which is bound a mixture of antigens and antibodies which are both bound to the solid support individually and are not present in the form of an immune complex.

Abstract: A radiolabeled or enzyme labeled peptide having no more than 60 amino acids in the chain of the peptide; the peptide having covalently linked amino acids disposed in a steric configuration which is recognized by and bound by an antibody. The labeled peptides can be utilized in various processes to detect the presence of a given antibody or antigen in a sample. Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to same may be so detected.

Abstract: A process for the detection of an antigen or antibody in a specimen which process comprises:(a) contacting said specimen with a substrate having bound thereon a mixture of antigens and antibodies to said antigen or antibody in said specimen, said antibodies and said antigens bound to said substrate being separately bound to said substrate and not in the form of an immune complex, incubating the so-contacted substrate and washing the substrate;(b) contacting the washed material of step `a` with a radioactive material labeled or enzyme labeled antibody or antigen, incubating the so-contacted material and washing the same; and(c) effecting radioimmunoassay if said antibody or antigen is radioactive or enzyme labeled immunoassay is said antibody or antigen is enzyme labeled.

Abstract: A process for detecting the presence of an antigen in a specimen is described, which process comprises:(A) contacting said specimen with a substrate coated with antibodies of said antigen, incubating the contacted substrate and washing the substrate;(B) contacting the washed material of step (A) with a hapten conjugated antibody against said antigen, incubating the so-contacted material and washing the so-incubated material;(C) contacting the washed material of step (B) with a radioactive material labeled or enzyme containing anti-hapten antibody, incubating the so-contacted material and washing the same; and(D) effecting radioimmunoassay if said antibody is radioactive or enzyme labeled immunoassay if said antibody contains an enzyme moiety.Quantitative determination of the antigen in the specimen is effected by comparing the counts of the radioimmunoassay or the concentration of enzyme against a standard as by photocolormetric methods.

Abstract: A process for determining the presence of an antigen or antibody in a sample wherein said antigen or antibody exists in the form of an immune complex which comprises:A. contacting the immune complex originating from the sample suspected of containing immune complex with a dissociating buffer whereby said immune complex, if present, is dissociated into antigen and antibody;B. contacting a solid support which binds proteins with said dissociating buffer suspected of containing antigen or antibody and removing said buffer;C. washing said solid support;D. adding protein to fill unoccupied sites on said solid support;E. adding radioactively labeled or enzyme labeled antibody or antigen to said solid support, said labeled antibody or antigen corresponding to antigen or antibody on said solid support, incubating the resultant mass and washing the same;F. measuring the radioactivity or enzymatic activity associated with the solid support.

Abstract: A vaccine against viral hepatitis comprising:A. antigenic particles having a particle size in the range of 30 to 50 nanometers, said antigenic particles containing hepatitis B surface antigens;B. said antigen having less than 10 units of free antibody to hepatitis B surface antigens per 1,000 units of hepatitis B surface antigens;C. at least 5% of the particles of said vaccine in the size range of 30 to 50 nanometers containing the hepatitis B surface antigenic specificity(s) which have been termed "e-antigen";D. said hepatitis B surface antigens, including e-antigens, being present in said vaccine in an amount sufficient to produce antibodies when introduced into a host animal, the balance being a medium which is physiologically acceptable, especially to humans and primates.