Abstract: The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides which induce an immunogenic response in animals to non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and that do not require tedious purification techniques. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides reduce the severity of otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides are synthesized using commercially available peptide synthesizers. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides comprises three peptide units. The first peptide unit is a subunit of the fimbrin protein. Preferably, the fimbrin subunit is comprised of the amino acids of Sequence ID No. 1 or Sequence ID No. 2. The second peptide unit is a t cell epitope, and preferably has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3. The third peptide unit is a linker peptide unit which joins the first and second peptide unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutation within the sap operon of an avirulent clone of a nontypeable strain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). The invention also relates to the NTHi sap operon genes and the polypeptides encoded by these polynucleotide sequences. The invention also relates to a novel 110 kDa NTHi outer membrane protein and the polynucleotide that encodes this outer membrane protein. Methods of screening for NTHi infection, and treating and preventing NTHi related disorders are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides which induce an immunogenic response in animals to non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and that do not require tedious purification techniques. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides reduce the severity of otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides are synthesized using commercially available peptide synthesizers. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides comprises three peptide units. The first peptide unit is a subunit of the fimbrin protein. Preferably, the fimbrin subunit is comprised of the amino acids of Sequence ID No. 1 or Sequence ID No. 2. The second peptide unit is a t cell epitope, and preferably has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3. The third peptide unit is a linker peptide unit which joins the first and second peptide unit.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a vaccine comprised of fimbrin, a filamentous protein derived from the bacterial surface appendages of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae is useful in studying, preventing or reducing the severity of, otitis media. The gene sequence of the DNA coding for fimbrin and the amino acid sequence of fimbrin have also been determined. Vectors containing DNA coding for fimbrin have also been developed, and transformants have been prepared which contain such vectors and which express such DNA and provide a source of pure fimbrin.

Abstract: A method for nasal application of a medicinal substance by applying the substance through the nose in a maximum amount that is insufficient to stimulate an excretory response that would clear a significant portion of the substance from nasal and sinus passages. Within a time period of less than one hour, the application of the substance through the nose in an amount that is insufficient to stimulate an excretory response that would clear a significant portion of the substance from nasal and sinus passages is repeated. The repeated application, at a minimum, is done a sufficient number of times to provide an effective total dose of the substance. The repeated application, in any case, is done at least once.

Abstract: A method for nasal application of a medicinal substance by applying the substance through the nose in a maximum amount that is insufficient to stimulate an excretory response that would clear a significant portion of the substance from nasal and sinus passages. Within a time period of less than one hour, the application of the substance through the nose in an amount that is insufficient to stimulate an excretory response that would clear a significant portion of the substance from nasal and sinus passages is repeated. The repeated application, at a minimum, is done a sufficient number of times to provide an effective total dose of the substance. The repeated application, in any case, is done at least once.

Abstract: A method for nasal application of a medicinal substance by applying the substance through the nose in a maximum amount that is insufficient to stimulate an excretory response that would clear a significant portion of the substance from nasal and sinus passages. Within a time period of less than one hour, the application of the substance through the nose in an amount that is insufficient to stimulate an excretory response that would clear a significant portion of the substance from nasal and sinus passages is repeated. The repeated application, at a minimum, is done a sufficient number of times to provide an effective total dose of the substance. The repeated application, in any case, is done at least once.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides which induce an immunogenic response in animals to non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and that do not require tedious purification techniques. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides reduce the severity of otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides are synthesized using commercially available peptide synthesizers. The first peptide subunit is comprised of the amino acids of Sequence ID No. 1 or Sequence ID No. 2. The second peptide unit is a t cell epitope, and preferably has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3. The third peptide unit is a linker peptide unit which joins the first and second peptide unit. The linking sequence preferably has from about 2 to about 15 amino acids, more preferably from about 2 to about 10 amino acids, most preferably from about 5 to about 6 amino acids.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a vaccine comprised of fimbrin, a filamentous protein derived from the bacterial surface appendages of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae is useful in studying, preventing or reducing the severity of, otitis media. The gene sequence of the DNA coding for fimbrin and the amino acid sequence of fimbrin have also been determined. Vectors containing DNA coding for fimbrin have also been developed, and transformants have been prepared which contain such vectors and which express such DNA and provide a source of pure fimbrin.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides which induce an immunogenic response in animals to non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and that do not require tedious purification techniques. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides reduce the severity of otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides are synthesized using commercially available peptide synthesizers. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides comprises three peptide units. The first peptide unit is a subunit of the fimbrin protein. Preferably, the fimbrin subunit is comprised of the amino acids of Sequence ID No. 1 or Sequence ID No. 2. The second peptide unit is a t cell epitope, and preferably has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3. The third peptide unit is a linker peptide unit which joins the first and second peptide unit.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a vaccine comprised of fimbrin, a filamentous protein derived from the bacterial surface appendages of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae is useful in studying, preventing or reducing the severity of, otitis media. The gene sequence of the DNA coding for fimbrin and the amino acid sequence of fimbrin have also been determined. Vectors containing DNA coding for fimbrin have also been developed, and transformants have been prepared which contain such vectors and which express such DNA and provide a source of pure fimbrin.