Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of a subject to infection, which method comprises: (i) providing a sample from said subject; (ii) detecting any LL-37 present in said sample; (iii) optionally comparing the level of LL-37 in said sample to a control sample; and (iv) determining the susceptibility of said subject to infection, wherein no LL-37 or a low level of LL-37 indicates that said subject is susceptible to infection.

Abstract: A 78 residue polypeptide comprising the following amino acid sequenceGYFCESCRKIIQKLEDMVGPQPNEDTVTQAASQVCDKLKILRGLCKKIMRSFLRRISWDILTGKK PQAICVDIKICKE [SEQ ID NO:1]:and functional derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, said sequence comprising intra-linked half-cysteines; pharmaceutical composition containing such polypeptide as an active ingredient; a method for inhibiting microbial growth and cancer cell growth in animals including man; and nucleotide sequence corresponding to such polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibacterial and antimalarial peptides which are hybrids peptides which a of naturally occurring peptides such as cecropins, attacins, magainins, sarcotoxin, sapecin, bactenecins, alamethidicins, defensins and PGLa, and toxins such as streptolysins, melittin, barbatolysin, paradaxins and delta hemolysin. The hybrid peptides of the present invention are easily synthesized and have reduced toxicity. Also included in the invention are pharmaceutical compositions containing such hybrid peptides, and methods of treating patients infected with an organism against which these peptides are active.

Abstract: Antibiotically and/or antimalarially active D-peptides of naturally occurring antibiotics such as cecropin A, B and D, melittin, and Magainin I and II and their addition, deletion and replacement analogs including homologous and heterologous analogs thereof.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising the following amino acid sequence: Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe-Pr o-Pro-Arg-Leu-Pro-Pro-Arg-Ile-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Pro-Pro-Arg-Phe-Pro-Pro-Arg-P he-Pro; pharmaceutical compositions containing such polypeptides; and a method of inhibiting bacterial growth using such polypeptides.

Abstract: A polypeptide having bactericidal activity, particularly against gram-negative bacteria, has been isolated from pig intestine. The porcine cecropin has the amino acid sequence: H.sub.2 N-Ser-Trp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Thr-Ala-Lys-Lys-Leu-Glu-Asn-Ser-AlaLys-Lys-Arg-Ile-S er-Glu-Gly-Ile-Ala-Ile-Ala-Ile-Gln-Gly-Gly-Pro-Arg-COOh. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such poypeptides, or functional derivatives thereof, are useful in therapeutic and prophylactic methods for inhibiting bacterial growth.

Abstract: A non-lysozyme highly active bacteriolytic protein which is heat stable and has a relatively low molecular weight. The protein may be produced by immunizing an insect against E. coli and recovering the protein from the insect. The protein is useful for extracting proteins from genetically engineered bacteria and as a pharmaceutical for inhibiting certain bacteria.

Abstract: A non-lysozyme highly active bacteriolytic protein which is heat stable and has a relatively low molecular weight. The protein may be produced by immunizing an insect against E. coli and recovering the protein from the insect. The protein is useful for extracting proteins from genetically engineered bacteria and as a pharmaceutical.