Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and the like. The vaccine comprises a polypeptide comprising a Candida adhesin antigen, typically an isolated agglutinin-like sequence (Als) protein antigen, formulated with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

Abstract: Presented herein, in certain aspects, are compositions that comprise novel toxin proteins, the nucleic acids that encode them, and/or portions thereof, which toxins are expressed by fungi of the Mucorales order and are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of Mucormycosis. Also presented herein, in certain aspects, are methods of detecting the presence or absence of novel fungal toxins and/or the nucleic adds that encode them in a sample, which methods can be used to identify the presence of Mucorales in a subject. Methods and/or compositions presented herein can be used to prevent and/or treat a Mucorales infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating and immunizing against C. auris infection and colonization. The compositions and methods include polypeptides and fragments derived from the C. albicans Als3 protein, homologs thereof, and antibodies or fragments thereof that specifically bind these polypeptides and fragments. Administration of these compositions confers treatment and resistance against C. auris infection and colonization.

Abstract: Presented herein, in certain aspects, are compositions that comprise novel toxin proteins, the nucleic acids that encode them, and/or portions thereof, which toxins are expressed by fungi of the Mucorales order and are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of Mucormycosis. Also presented herein, in certain aspects, are methods of detecting the presence or absence of novel fungal toxins and/or the nucleic acids that encode them in a sample, which methods can be used to identify the presence of Mucorales in a subject. Methods and/or compositions presented herein can be used to prevent and/or treat a Mucorales infection.

Abstract: The invention features a method of vaccinating a mammal against Staphylococcus aureus which includes the steps of: a) identifying a mammal at risk for the development of a Staphylococcus aureus skin or soft tissue infection; and b) administering to said mammal an immunogenic amount of a vaccine that includes a polypeptide including an isolated agglutinin-like sequence (Als) 3 protein (Als3p), or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium.

Abstract: Presented herein, in certain aspects, are compositions that comprise novel toxin proteins, the nucleic acids that encode them, and/or portions thereof, which toxins are expressed by fungi of the Mucorales order and are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of Mucormycosis. Also presented herein, in certain aspects, are methods of detecting the presence or absence of novel fungal toxins and/or the nucleic acids that encode them in a sample, which methods can be used to identify the presence of Mucorales in a subject. Methods and/or compositions presented herein can be used to prevent and/or treat a Mucorales infection.

Abstract: The invention provided Mucorales CotH antibodies, polypeptides, encoding nucleic acid molecules, and uses thereof. The Mucorales CotH antibodies, polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids disclosed herein can be advantageously used to diagnose, treat or prevent fungal conditions, in particular mucormycosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine including an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, with an adjuvant in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing hematogenously disseminated or mucocutaneous candidiasis. The method includes administering an immunogenic amount of a vaccine an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. A method of treating or preventing disseminated candidiasis also is provided that includes administering an effective amount of an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an functional fragment thereof, to inhibit the binding or invasion of Candida to a host cell or tissue.

Abstract: The invention features fragments of the Candida cell surface proteins Als3 and Hyr1 and combinations thereof useful in immunizing a subject against fungal or bacterial infections or both.

Abstract: The disclosure features isolated polypeptides of Hyr1. The disclosure further features vaccines and antibodies useful in treating or preventing candidiasis or Acinetobacter infections or both. Further disclosed are isolated polypeptides consisting of between 14 and 20 amino acids for vaccine preparation. The specific amino acid sequences of isolated polypeptides of Hyr1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention features fragments of the Candida cell surface proteins Als3 and Hyr1 and combinations thereof useful in immunizing a subject against fungal or bacterial infections or both.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine including an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, with an adjuvant in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing hematogenously disseminated or mucocutaneous candidiasis. The method includes administering an immunogenic amount of a vaccine an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. A method of treating or preventing disseminated candidiasis also is provided that includes administering an effective amount of an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an functional fragment thereof, to inhibit the binding or invasion of Candida to a host cell or tissue.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: The invention provided Mucorales CotH antibodies, polypeptides, encoding nucleic acid molecules, and uses thereof. The Mucorales CotH antibodies, polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids disclosed herein can be advantageously used to diagnose, treat or prevent fungal conditions, in particular mucormycosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions and methods for treating and preventing fungal disease or conditions including mucormycosis. The therapeutic methods and compositions of the invention include antibody, antibody fragments, siRNA and vaccine compositions having or directed against a GRP78 polypeptide or an antigenic fragment of the polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provided Mucorales CotH polypeptides and encoding nucleic acid molecules. The Mucorales CotH polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids can be advantageously used to diagnose, treat or prevent fungal conditions, in particular mucormycosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions and methods for treating and preventing fungal disease or conditions including mucormycosis. The therapeutic methods and compositions of the invention include antibody, antibody fragment, siRNA and vaccine compositions having or directed against a GRP78 polypeptide or an antigenic fragment of the polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention features fragments of the Candida cell surface proteins Als3 and Hyr1 and combinations thereof useful in immunizing a subject against fungal or bacterial infections or both.

Abstract: The invention features isolated polypeptides and conjugates including the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-11, or a variant sequence thereof having up to three substitutions, deletions, or additions to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-11, wherein the polypeptide does not include more than 20 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 17. Additional polypeptides includes those of formula (I) [ZNZPVSSBSFSYT]n and formula (II) [ZNUWOOBUFOYT]n. The invention further features vaccines including such polypeptides or conjugates and methods of vaccination against candidiasis or a staphylococcal infection of both using same. In addition, the invention features antibodies that bind to the polypeptides or conjugates, and methods of passive immunization using same.