Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining whether a human being is susceptible to dental caries. The methods each include the steps of measuring the amount of ?-defensins HNP 1, HNP 2 and HNP 3 in saliva obtained from a human being, and determining whether a reduced amount of the ?-defensins HNP 1, HNP 2 and HNP 3 is present in the saliva, thereby determining whether the human being is susceptible to dental caries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining whether a human being is susceptible to dental caries. The methods each include the steps of measuring the amount of ?-defensins HNP 1, HNP 2 and HNP 3 in saliva obtained from a human being, and determining whether a reduced amount of the ?-defensins HNP 1, HNP 2 and HNP 3 is present in the saliva, thereby determining whether the human being is susceptible to dental caries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of an efficacious vaccine against Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV). The invention provides the tools for the synthesis and manipulation of the structural and non-structural proteins of FIPV. These proteins are able to elicit an immune response in cats against FIPV. The recombinant virus vectors which express the E1 or N proteins of the virus or the recombinant produced viral proteins themselves are able to elicit an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools which are useful for the diagnosis of an animal's exposure to feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) or susceptibility to FIPV. The diagnostic tools are composed of nucleic acid sequences which encode structural and nonstructural FIPV proteins and antibodies generated against FIPV proteins. The FIPV proteins may also be useful as subunit vaccines.

Abstract: A method to protect a host animal from flea infestation by treating that animal with a composition that includes a compound that reduces protease activity of fleas feeding from the treated animal, thereby reducing flea burden on the animal and in the environment of the animal. The present invention also relates to compositions including flea protease vaccines, anti-flea protease antibodies and/or protease inhibitors. Also included in the present invention are soluble flea midgut preparations, flea protease proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins and antibodies that selectively bind to such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain and use such preparations, proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and protease inhibitors to protect an animal from flea infestation.

Abstract: The cellular binding proteins present in membranes of fleas, especially those which are present in the digestive tract, are useful as screening tools for systemic anti-flea reagents and in the design of vaccine formulations. Particularly useful is the .alpha.-subunit of (Na.sup.+ /K.sup.+)ATPase. The .alpha.-subunit of this protein expressed in recombinant host cells in the presence of the .beta.-subunit is distributed on the membrane and the recombinant cells can thus be used to screen candidates for ability to bind the cells. Secondary screens are used to determine the specificity of the candidate reagent for flea protein as compared to a corresponding protein derived from other sources.

Abstract: A vaccine for protecting avian and mammalian subjects against flea infestation comprises the supernatant fraction of flea midgut, or the antigenic components thereof. This also has the effect of reducing flea populations in the environment of the subject. Antibodies raised by these vaccines are also useful in purification and diagnosis.

Abstract: Recombinant vaccines for immunizing horses against equine influenza virus (EIV) are disclosed. The DNA sequences encoding the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins from the two strains of EIV currently infective in horses are used to construct vaccinia carried vaccines, to design synthetic peptides for primer and booster administration, and to permit recombinant synthesis of HA and/or NA protein based vaccines. These DNA sequences also provide probes useful for preparing similar vaccines from fresh isolates of new strains generated by genetic drift.

Abstract: Recombinant vaccines for immunizing horses against equine influenza virus (EIV) are disclosed. The DNA sequences encoding the hemagluttinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins from the two strains of EIV currently infective in horses are used to construct vaccinia carried vaccines, to design synthetic peptides for primer and booster administration, and to permit recombinant synthesis of HA and/or NA protein based vaccines. These DNA sequences also provide probes useful for preparing similar vaccines from fresh isolates of new strains generated by genetic drift.