Abstract: A method for treatment of HIV infection includes administering at least one anti-HIV drug, such as a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, to a patient in need of such treatment and administering an extract from inflammatory tissue inoculated with vaccinia virus to the patient following the administration of the at least one anti-HIV drug. The extract maintains suppressive action on HIV replication, even if the administration of the anti-HIV drug is terminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and agents useful for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, especially primary biliary cirrhosis. The present invention also provides methods and kits useful for diagnosis or prognosis of primary biliary cirrhosis by detecting the presence of N. aromaticivorans. In addition, the present invention provides methods for identifying agents useful for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, especially primary biliary cirrhosis.