Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating and immunizing against C. auris infection and colonization. The compositions and methods include polypeptides and fragments derived from the C. albicans Als3 protein, homologs thereof, and antibodies or fragments thereof that specifically bind these polypeptides and fragments. Administration of these compositions confers treatment and resistance against C. auris infection and colonization.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits use in for preventing and treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), in particular, recurrent VVC.

Abstract: The invention features a method of vaccinating a mammal against Staphylococcus aureus which includes the steps of: a) identifying a mammal at risk for the development of a Staphylococcus aureus skin or soft tissue infection; and b) administering to said mammal an immunogenic amount of a vaccine that includes a polypeptide including an isolated agglutinin-like sequence (Als) 3 protein (Als3p), or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine including an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, with an adjuvant in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing hematogenously disseminated or mucocutaneous candidiasis. The method includes administering an immunogenic amount of a vaccine an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. A method of treating or preventing disseminated candidiasis also is provided that includes administering an effective amount of an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an functional fragment thereof, to inhibit the binding or invasion of Candida to a host cell or tissue.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits use in for preventing and treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), in particular, recurrent VVC.

Abstract: The invention features fragments of the Candida cell surface proteins Als3 and Hyr1 and combinations thereof useful in immunizing a subject against fungal or bacterial infections or both.

Abstract: The disclosure features isolated polypeptides of Hyr1. The disclosure further features vaccines and antibodies useful in treating or preventing candidiasis or Acinetobacter infections or both. Further disclosed are isolated polypeptides consisting of between 14 and 20 amino acids for vaccine preparation. The specific amino acid sequences of isolated polypeptides of Hyr1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention features fragments of the Candida cell surface proteins Als3 and Hyr1 and combinations thereof useful in immunizing a subject against fungal or bacterial infections or both.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine including an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, with an adjuvant in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing hematogenously disseminated or mucocutaneous candidiasis. The method includes administering an immunogenic amount of a vaccine an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. A method of treating or preventing disseminated candidiasis also is provided that includes administering an effective amount of an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an functional fragment thereof, to inhibit the binding or invasion of Candida to a host cell or tissue.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: The invention features fragments of the Candida cell surface proteins Als3 and Hyr1 and combinations thereof useful in immunizing a subject against fungal or bacterial infections or both.

Abstract: The invention features isolated polypeptides and conjugates including the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-11, or a variant sequence thereof having up to three substitutions, deletions, or additions to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-11, wherein the polypeptide does not include more than 20 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 17. Additional polypeptides includes those of formula (I) [ZNZPVSSBSFSYT]n and formula (II) [ZNUWOOBUFOYT]n. The invention further features vaccines including such polypeptides or conjugates and methods of vaccination against candidiasis or a staphylococcal infection of both using same. In addition, the invention features antibodies that bind to the polypeptides or conjugates, and methods of passive immunization using same.

Abstract: The invention features a method of vaccinating a mammal against Staphylococcus aureus which includes the steps of: a) identifying a mammal at risk for the development of a Staphylococcus aureus skin or soft tissue infection; and b) administering to said mammal an immunogenic amount of a vaccine that includes a polypeptide including an isolated agglutinin-like sequence (Als) 3 protein (Als3p), or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium.

Abstract: The disclosure features isolated polypeptides of Hyr1. The disclosure further features vaccines and antibodies useful in treating or preventing candidiasis or Acinetobacter infections or both. Further disclosed are isolated polypeptides consisting of between 14 and 20 amino acids for vaccine preparation. The specific amino acid sequences of isolated polypeptides of Hyr1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention features HYR1 as a vaccine target and as a prophylactic strategy for combating disseminated candidiasis.

Abstract: The invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel cell-based immunotherapy that can recapitulate neutrophil functions in neutropenic individuals afflicted with a microbial infection. The therapeutic methods of the invention are broadly applicable to treat any infection in a neutropenic individual, including infections caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The methods of the invention represent a practical, rapid cell-based immunotherapy for refractory infections comprising compositions of activated, irradiated HL-60 cells.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.