Abstract: The present disclosure provides MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to MrkA and induce opsonophagocytic killing of Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae). The present disclosure also provides methods of reducing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) or treating or preventing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) infection in a subject comprising administering MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, MrkA polypeptides, immunogenic fragments thereof, or polynucleotides encoding MrkA or immunogenic fragments thereof to the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to MrkA and induce opsonophagocytic killing of Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae). The present disclosure also provides methods of reducing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) or treating or preventing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) infection in a subject comprising administering MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, MrkA polypeptides, immunogenic fragments thereof, or polynucleotides encoding MrkA or immunogenic fragments thereof to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides specific genetic deletions that result in an avirulent phenotype of a mycobacterium. These deletions may be used as phenotypic markers of providing a means for distinguishing between disease-producing and non-disease producing mycobacteria.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of quantifying bacteria in vivo or in vitro using bacterial reporter strains. In particular this invention provides a method utilizing mycobacterial reporter strains that permits rapid screening for in vivo antimycobacterial activity of various compositions. In addition this invention provides for particular mycobacterial reporter strains expressing the FFlux gene at levels sufficiently high to allow detection in tissue homogenates without lysis or concentration of the bacteria.