Abstract: Provided is an assay system and method that includes binding a conjugate to a target receptor on a surface of malignant blood cells included in the liquid medium to form labeled malignant blood cells. The liquid medium including the labeled malignant blood cells is exposed to a magnetic field to separate the labeled malignant blood cells from unlabeled blood cells in the liquid medium. In the presence of the magnet field, at least a portion of the liquid medium is removed to isolate the labeled malignant blood cells separated by the magnetic field. A sample comprising at least a portion of the labeled malignant blood cells separated by the magnetic field is then introduced into a flow cytometer to quantify the labeled malignant blood cells present in the sample.

Abstract: Diagnostics and treatments for bacterial infection are disclosed. The treatments prevent bacteria from adhering to host cells by interfering with the binding of the bacteria to cell receptors. Compounds that inhibit bacterial adherence to cells are engineered to be readily modified for best efficacy with different modes of treatment. The compounds can be readily modified for use to identify bacteria according to their cell binding specificities.

Abstract: The present provides neutralizing antitoxin directed against C. difficile toxins. These antitoxins are produced in arian species using soluble recombinant C. difficile toxin proteins. The avian antitoxins are designed so as to be orally administrable in therapeutic amounts and may be in any form (i.e., as a solid or in aqueous solution). Solid forms of the antitoxin may comprise an enteric coating. These antitoxins are useful in the treatment of humans and other animals intoxicated with at least one bacterial toxin. The invention further provides vaccines capable of protecting a vaccinated recipient from the morbidity and mortality associated with C. difficile infection. These vaccines are useful for administration to humans and other animals at risk of exposure to C. difficile toxins.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for preventing and treating sepsis in humans and other animals. Surgical patients, low birth weight infants, burn and trauma victims, as well as other individuals at risk can be treated prophylactically. Methods for treating acute infections with advantages over current therapeutic approaches are provided. Conjugates and methods of making conjugates for the prevention and treatment of sepsis are described.

Abstract: A method for detecting endotoxins in body fluids comprising: unmasking endotoxins in the body fluids; separating the unmasked endotoxins from the body fluids by affinity chromatography; and detecting the endotoxins. This method is particularly useful for early detection of life threatening systemic Gram-negative infections.