Abstract: This invention is directed to oral-intestinal vaccines and their use against diseases caused by enteropathogenic organisms using antigens encapsulated within biodegradable-biocompatible microspheres.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antigens that stimulate protective antibodies against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Also disclosed herein are proteins encoded by cssA and cssB genes as well as constructs containing the genes and methods of using thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to oral-intestinal vaccines and their use against diseases caused by enteropathogenic organisms using antigens encapsulated within biodegradable-biocompatible microspheres.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody to a consensus peptide of the formula: VEKNITVTASVDPTIDLLQADGSALPSAVALTYSPA. (SEQ ID NO:1) The monoclonal antibody of the invention binds exclusively to the sequence SAVALTYS (SEQ ID NO:2) and has use as a diagnostic and for prophylaxis against illness arising from E. coli which produce the CS4-CFA/I family of proteins and for treatment of disease arising therefrom.

Abstract: A vaccine delivered by transcutaneous immunization provides an effective treatment against infections by pathogens such as, for example, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and/or for symptoms of diarrheal disease caused thereby. For example, one, two, three, four, five or more antigens derived from ETEC and capable of inducing an antigen-specific immune response (e.g., toxins, colonization or virulence factors) and one or more optional adjuvant (e.g., whole bacterial ADP-ribosylating exotoxins, B subunits or toxoids thereof, detoxified mutants and derivatives thereof) are used to manufacture vaccines or to induce systemic and/or mucosal immunity.

Abstract: This invention relates to amino acid sequences from within a consensus peptide of the formula: VEKNITVTASVDPTIDLLQADGSALPSAVALTYSPA (SEQ ID. NO: 1) Eight mer peptides from within the consensus peptide were tested against an antibody raised to the consensus peptide. Studies relating to antibody raised to denatured proteins from the natural organisms producing the family of proteins were also useful and showed particular value of some sequences. A sequence of the formula ASVDPTIDLLQA (SEQ ID NO: 2) was identified thereby. An enlarge sequence of the formula TVTASVDPTIDLLQAD (SEQ ID NO: 3) is also especially interesting as are intermediate sequences such as sequences VTASVDPTIDLLQAD (SEQ ID NO: 4), TASVDPTIDLLQAD (SEQ ID NO: 5), and TASVDPTIDLLQA (SEQ ID NO: 6) as being binding sites for antibodies raised to the denatured proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antigens that stimulate protective antibodies against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Also disclosed herein are proteins encoded by cssA and cssB genes as well as constructs containing the genes and methods of using thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for making large amounts of highly pure colonization factors. The methods of the present invention differ from prior art methods in that host cells which express the colonization factor of interest are cultured in media comprising more than about 50 ?g/l of an antibiotic, the media is centrifuged and then filtered with a 0.2 ?m filter tangential flow cartridge and a 300,000 MW cut-off filter, and a divalent cation is added. As disclosed herein the colonization factors made by the method of the present invention may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or preventing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are RBC preparations and methods of making and using thereof for treating, preventing or inhibiting ETEC infections. In particular, bovine red blood cell (RBC) preparations are shown to reduce enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) adhesion when administered orally. Also disclosed are kits comprising RBC preparations for the treatment of ETEC infections.

Abstract: This invention relates to amino acid sequences from within a consensus peptide of the formula: 1 VEKNITVTASVDPTIDLLQADGSALPSAVALTYSPA (Seq.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable, low cost animal model for evaluating infections caused by enteric pathogens, including diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, such as enterotoxigenic, enterohemorrhagic, Shiga-toxin producing, and enteropathogenic E.coli. The animal model can be used for vaccine development and drug screening, including the screening of compounds that impair or inhibit the binding of enteric pathogens to host cells or compounds that inhibit the effects of toxins produced by the enteric pathogen. FIG. (1) represents the detection of CFA/I expressing ETEC in intestines and feces of ETEC-infected cotton rats using colony blots.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for identifying at least one bacterial colonization factor of enterotoxigenic E. coil which comprise the following steps in the following order: 1) obtaining the colonization factor; 2) solubilizing the colonization factor by dissolving the colonization factor in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol; 3) adding a solution of volatile acid to the solubilized colonization factor of step 2 to obtain a product; 4) subjecting the product of step 3 to mass spectrometry to determine the mass of the colonization factor; and 5) comparing the mass determined in step 4 with the mass of at least one known colonization factor.

Abstract: A vaccine delivered by transcutaneous immunization provides an effective treatment against infections by pathogens such as, for example, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and/or for symptoms of diarrheal disease caused thereby. For example, one, two, three, four, five or more antigens derived from ETEC and capable of inducing an antigen-specific immune response (e.g., toxins, colonization or virulence factors) and one or more optional adjuvant (e.g., whole bacterial ADP-ribosylating exotoxins, B subunits or toxoids thereof, detoxified mutants and derivatives thereof) are used to manufacture vaccines or to induce systemic and/or mucosal immunity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for making large amounts of highly pure colonization factors. The methods of the present invention differ from prior art methods in that host cells which express the colonization factor of interest are cultured in media comprising more than about 50 &mgr;g/l of an antibiotic, the media is centrifuged and then filtered with a 0.2 &mgr;m filter tangential flow cartridge and a 300,000 MW cut-off filter, and a divalent cation is added. As disclosed herein the colonization factors made by the method of the present invention may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or preventing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are RBC preparations and methods of making and using thereof for treating, preventing or inhibiting ETEC infections. In particular, bovine RBC preparations are shown to reduce ETEC adhesion. Also disclosed are kits comprising RBC preparations for the treatment of ETEC infections.

Abstract: Electrospray mass spectrometry has been shown to be useful and extremely accurate (about 1 mass unit/10,000 MW) to a total mass of 30-40 kD. Data clearly shows that use of electrospray mass spectrometry and protein sequencing as applied to the identification of ETEC CF.

Abstract: This invention relates to amino acid sequences from within a consensus peptide of the formula:

Abstract: A consensus poptide of 36 amino acids has been designed which acts as an immunogen raising antibodies against the proteins of all members of the E. coli family CS4-CFA/1. While the N-terminus of members of this family of organisms shows a high degree of identity, the remainder of the sequence of the proteins shows much less homology across the strains. The region of the protein represented in the subunit encompasses known linear B- and T-cell epitopes of CFA/I. The consensus peptide has a high level of homology to strains bearing six different colonization factors.

Abstract: Production of proteins in bacteria containing DNA sequences encoding proteins under the control of a temperature-regulated promotor is improved by growing the organisms at temperatures of less than 35.degree. C. until the late logarithmic phase. Thereafter the temperature may be raised to 36.degree. C. to 39.degree. C. Antigens produced by the method of the invention may be used as vaccines, as means for measuring efficacy of vaccines, as probes to detect antigens from clinical samples and for biochemical characterization of antigens.

Abstract: A purified oligosaccharide consisting of a hexasaccharide with a native molecular weight of 959 which can be isolated from the cell walls of Streptococcus oralis. The oligosaccharide is able to significantly block the interaction between the human oral plaque bacteria Streptococcus oralis H1 and Capnocytophaga ochracea ATCC 33596. This purified oligosaccharide contains saccharide components found to inhibit many know interactions between plaque bacteria and may be effective in prevention, inhibition and reversal of dental plaque deposits. The oligosaccharide may be applied effectively when incorporated in toothpastes, mouth wash, etc.