Abstract: The invention provides mutants of GAS57 (Spy0416) which are unable to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The invention also provides antibodies which specifically bind to GAS57 and which inhibit its ability to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates. The mutants are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The antibodies are useful, e.g., as therapeutics for treating S. pyogenes infections.

Abstract: Elimination of disulphide bond formation of cysteine-containing S. aureus antigens enhances antigen stability. The invention provides variant forms of cysteine-containing S. aureus antigen with a point mutation that replaces, deletes or modifies the cysteine residue.

Abstract: An immunogenic Chlamydia HtrA protein, which has one or more mutations relative to wild-type Chlamydia HtrA that result in a reduced or eliminated protease activity relative to the protease activity of wild-type Chlamydia HtrA. Preferably, it is the serine protease activity that is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Elimination of disulphide bond formation of cysteine-containing S. aureus antigens enhances antigen stability. The invention provides variant forms of cysteine-containing S. aureus antigen with a point mutation that replaces, deletes or modifies the cysteine residue.

Abstract: Elimination of disulphide bond formation of cysteine-containing S.aureus antigens enhances antigen stability. The invention provides a composition comprising variant forms of cysteine-containing S.aureus antigen with a point mutation that replaces, deletes or modifies the cysteine residue.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins and compositions for the treatment and prevention of Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus; GBS).

Abstract: Elimination of disulphide bond formation of cysteine-containing S. aureus antigens enhances antigen stability. The invention provides variant forms of cysteine-containing S. aureus antigen with a point mutation that replaces, deletes or modifies the cysteine residue.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, proteins, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors. This invention also provides compositions of the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention includes a GAS antigen, GAS 40, which is particularly suitable for use either alone or in combinations with additional GAS antigens, such as GAS 117, GAS 130, GAS 277, GAS 236, GAS 40, GAS 389, GAS 504, GAS 509, GAS 366, GAS 159, GAS 217, GAS 309, GAS 372, GAS 039, GAS 042, GAS 058, GAS 290, GAS 511, GAS 533, GAS 527, GAS 294, GAS 253, GAS 529, GAS 045, GAS 095, GAS 193, GAS 137, GAS 084, GAS 384, GAS 202, and GAS 057.

Abstract: Compositions useful for reducing the risk of, preventing, and/or treating S. pyogenes (GAS) infections which comprise combinations of GAS antigens, nucleic acid molecules encoding the antigens, or antibodies which specifically bind to the antigens.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis, including the amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are predicted to be useful antigens for vaccines and/or diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis, including the amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are predicted to be useful antigens for vaccines and/or diagnostics.

Abstract: This application relates to Group B Streptococcus (“GBS”) vaccines comprising combinations of GBS polypeptide antigens where the polypeptides contribute to the immunological response in a recipient. Preferably, the compositions of the invention comprise a combination of two or more GBS antigens, wherein said combination includes GBS 80 or a fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the combination may consist of two to thirteen GBS antigens selected from an antigen group consisting of GBS 80, GBS 91, GBS 104, GBS 184, GBS 276, GBS 305, GBS 322, GBS 330, GBS 338, GBS 361, GBS 404, GBS 690, and GBS 691.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of GAS57 (Spy0416) which are unable to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The invention also provides antibodies which specifically bind to GAS57 and which inhibit its ability to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates. The mutants are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The antibodies are useful, e.g., as therapeutics for treating S. pyogenes infections.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of GAS57 (Spy0416) which are unable to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The invention also provides antibodies which specifically bind to GAS57 and which inhibit its ability to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates. The mutants are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The antibodies are useful, e.g., as therapeutics for treating S. pyogenes infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of a new adhesin islands within the genomes of several Group A and Group B Streptococcus serotypes and isolates. The adhesin islands are thought to encode surface proteins which are important in the bacteria's virulence. Thus, the adhesin island proteins of the invention may be used in immunogenic compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against GAS or GBS infection. For example, the invention may include an immunogenic composition comprising one or more of the discovered adhesin island proteins.

Abstract: An effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens are identified for use in immunisation. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, proteins, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto (e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors. This invention also provides compositions of the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention provides Chlamydia antigens for use in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection. In particular, the invention provides antigens CT733, CT1 53, CT601, CT279, CT443, CT372, CT456, CT381, CT255, CT341, CT716, CT745, CT387, CT812, CT869, CT166, CT175, CT163, CT214, CT721, CT127, CT043, CT823 and/or CT600 from C. trachomatis for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection.

Abstract: An effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens are identified for use in immunization. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.