Abstract: Immunogenic compositions comprising recombinant attenuated intracellular pathogens that have been transformed to express recombinant immunogenic antigens of the same or other intracellular pathogens are provided. Exemplary immunogenic compositions include, but are not limited to attenuated recombinant Mycobacteria expressing the major extracellular non-fusion proteins of Mycobacteria and/or other intracellular pathogens. Other embodiments are provided wherein the recombinant attenuated intracellular pathogen is auxotrophic.

Abstract: Vaccines based on one or more combinations of majorly abundant extracellular products of pathogens and methods for their use and production are presented. The most prevalent or majorly abundant extracellular products of a target pathogen are selected irrespective of their absolute molecular immunogenicity and used as vaccines to stimulate a protective immune response in mammalian hosts against subsequent infection by the target pathogen. The majorly abundant extracellular products may be characterized and distinguished by their respective N-terminal amino acid, amino acid, or DNA sequences. As the vaccines may comprise different combinations of the extracellular products, subunits thereof, or encoding nucleic acids, a broad range of effective immunotherapeutic compositions are provided by the present invention. In addition to other infectious agents, the vaccines so produced can be used to stimulate an effective immune response against intracellular pathogens and in particular Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the proliferation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis comprising contacting Mycobacterium tuberculosis with an effective amount of a polynucleotide complementary to an mRNA transcript expressed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis are provided. Typical methods of the invention utilize phosphorothioate modified antisense polynucleotides (PS-ODNs) against the mRNA of M. tuberculosis genes such as glutamine synthetase, aroA, ask, groES, and the genes of the Antigen 85 complex. Optionally, the methods employ multiple antisense polynucleotides targeting different Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcripts. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the antisense polynucleotides are complementary to the 5? regions of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcripts.

Abstract: Novel antimicrobial compositions containing analogues of L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine (MSO) that are effective in treating intracellular pathogen infections are provided. Specifically, the compositions provided are MSO analogues having superior antimicrobial activity with significantly less toxicity as compared to MSO. These MSO analogues are suitable for use in treating infection in animals including primates, cows, pigs, horses, rabbits, mice, rats, cats, and dogs. Moreover, the MSO analogues are ideally suited for treating infections caused by the genus Mycobacterium. Additionally, methods for using the novel MSO analogues are also provided.

Abstract: Novel antimicrobial compositions containing analogues of L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine (MSO) that are effective in treating intracellular pathogen infections are provided. Specifically, the compostions provided are MSO analogues having superior antimicrobial activity with significantly less toxicity as compared to MSO. These MSO analogues are suitable for use in treating infection in animals including primates, cows, pigs, horses, rabbits, mice, rats, cats, and dogs. Moreover, the MSO analogues are ideally suited for treating infections caused by the genus Mycobacterium. Additionally, methods for using the novel MSO analogues are also provided.