Abstract: Enteroviruses, such as EV-A71, have been found to utilize hWARS as a cell surface receptor, with expression ofhWARS rendering cells susceptible to enteroviral infection. Reduction in hWARS cell surface activity reduces susceptibility to enteroviral infection and provides a mode for treatment or prevention of enteroviral infection and its sequelae. Similarly, expression of hWARS in cultured cells and animal models provides models for understanding enteroviral disease mechanisms and the development of vaccines and/or pharmaceuticals for preventing or treating enteroviral disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are B5 hybridoma and a B5 monoclonal antibody to Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia pseudomallei, or Burkholderia thailandensis and methods of use. Also disclosed are isolated binding fragments, isolated antibody fragments, isolated monoclonal antibodies, isolated chimeric antibodies, and isolated humanized antibodies having the binding fragments of the B5 monoclonal antibody. Also disclosed are assays for detecting B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, or B. thailandensis in a sample, for detecting infection by B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, or B. thailandensis, and therapeutic methods for treating infections by B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, or B. thailandensis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to reduce virulence of Tsukamurella comprising decreasing the expression of the mycolyltransferase C (‘tmytC”) gene. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition and method of prevention and treatment of infection by inhibition of tmytC.

Abstract: Methods for treating, diagnosing, and providing prognostic information for kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection are described. Transcription and translation products (for example, mRNA or peptides) of FGF2, Smad7, and/or sequences upstream of FGF2 are useful as markers that indicate kidney disease and/or provide prognostic information related to the course of kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection. Such kidney disease can be treated and/or mitigated by reducing the availability of FGF2, Smad7, and/or a sequence upstream from FGF2 by reducing and/or regulating transcription and by sequestering related peptides using a large molecule binding partner, such as an antibody. Sequences for useful siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides are provided.

Abstract: Enteroviruses, such as EV-A71, have been found to utilize hWARS as a cell surface receptor, with expression ofhWARS rendering cells susceptible to enteroviral infection. Reduction in hWARS cell surface activity reduces susceptibility to enteroviral infection and provides a mode for treatment or prevention of enteroviral infection and its sequelae. Similarly, expression of hWARS in cultured cells and animal models provides models for understanding enteroviral disease mechanisms and the development of vaccines and/or pharmaceuticals for preventing or treating enteroviral disease.

Abstract: Methods for treating, diagnosing, and providing prognostic information for kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection are described. Transcription and translation products (for example, mRNA or peptides) of FGF2, Smad7, and/or sequences upstream of FGF2 are useful as markers that indicate kidney disease and/or provide prognostic information related to the course of kidney disease related to MERS-CoV infection. Such kidney disease can be treated and/or mitigated by reducing the availability of FGF2, Smad7, and/or a sequence upstream from FGF2 by reducing and/or regulating transcription and by sequestering related peptides using a large molecule binding partner, such as an antibody. Sequences for useful siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides are provided.

Abstract: Highly conserved, short untranslated leader sequences have been identified in MERS-CoV and other human pathogenic Coronaviruses that provide the basis for highly sensitive and accurate assays for these viruses. Use of locked nucleic acids is shown to be useful in amplification reactions for these short sequences. RT-PCR using locked nucleic acids is shown to provide accurate detection of a variety of human pathogen Coronaviruses present at 10 copies per reaction or less.