Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional HtrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional HtrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides, polynucleotides and vaccines for use against Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonization or infection and/or Neisseria meningitidis colonization or infection. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of a neisserial protein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds and methods for immunizing a patient against a biofilm-producing bacterial infection and a vaccine related thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides lipid A deficient mutant Neisseria meningitidis cells, pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such cells, and methods of using such cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to sialytransferases, such as SiaA sialytransferases isolated from Haemophilus influenzae. Further provided herein are methods for producing sialylated lipooligosaccharides, vaccines, and host cells and systems for the production of sialylated lipooligosaccharides.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making complex carbohydrates in a bacterial production cell are disclosed. The complex carbohydrates that can be made include oligosaccharides and polysaccharides of bacterial or mammalian origin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making complex carbohydrates in a bacterial production cell are disclosed. The complex carbohydrates that can be made include oligosaccharides and polysaccharides of bacterial or mammalian origin.

Abstract: Antigenic conjugates are provided which comprise a carrier protein covalently bonded to the conserved portion of a lipopolysaccharide of a gram negative bacteria, wherein said conserved portion of the lipopolysaccharide comprises the inner core and lipid A portions of said lipopolysaccharide, said conjugate eliciting a cross reactive immune response against heterologous strains of said gram negative bacteria.

Abstract: Antigenic conjugates are provided which comprise a carrier protein covalently bonded to the conserved portion of a lipopolysaccharide of a gram negative bacteria, wherein the conserved portion of the lipopolysaccharide comprises the inner core and lipid A portions of the lipopolysaccharide, the conjugate eliciting a cross reactive immune response against heterologous strains of the gram negative bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mutant Neisseria having extensive membrane blebbing, both an indicium and a cause of virulence in the gonococcus and meningococcus. Methods are disclosed for making and characterizing the mutant, bmrRS. Methods are disclosed for isolating bmrRS membranes for use as a vaccine. Methods are also disclosed for the use of the mutant for determining the virulence of clinical samples of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. Methods are also disclosed for the screening of antibiotics targeted to virulent Neisseria.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides, polynucleotides and vaccines for use against Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonization or infection. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of a neisserial protein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mutant Neisseria having extensive membrane blebbing, both an indicium and a cause of virulence in the gonococcus and meningococcus. Methods are disclosed for making and characterizing the mutant, bmrRS. Methods are disclosed for isolating bmrRS membranes for use as a vaccine. Methods are also disclosed for the use of the mutant for determining the virulence of clinical samples of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. Methods are also disclosed for the screening of antibiotics targeted to virulent Neisseria.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mutant Neisseria having extensive membrane blebbing, both an indicium and a cause of virulence in the gonococcus and meningococcus. Methods are disclosed for making and characterizing the mutant, bmrRS. Methods are disclosed for isolating bmrRS membranes for use as a vaccine. Methods are also disclosed for the use of the mutant for determining the virulence of clinical samples of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. Methods are also disclosed for the screening of antibiotics targeted to virulent Neisseria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purification of a surface exposed, immunogenic outer membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzas which is conserved amongst strains. The protein, designated P6, is relatively free of detergent, contaminating RNA and undesirable cellular components.In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for purifying an immunogenic outer membrane protein of H. influenzas consisting essentially of:a) suspending H.

Abstract: A plasmid which contains a genetic code for an immunogenic portion which is conserved in many strains of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae and the bacterium containing this plasmid is disclosed. The immunogenic portion is preferably an epitope on an outer membrane protein of H. influenzae. A monoclonal antibody to the immunogenic portion and the hybridoma which will produce the monoclonal antibody is also included. The invention further includes a DNA probe constructed to correspond to the nucleic acids which code for the immunogenic portion. This probe may be labelled with a radioactive marker and may be used as a diagnostic tool to assay various clinical samples for the presence of H. influenzae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable test kit which contains selected reactants, or reagents, necessary for the rapid concentration and detection of selected antigens from biologic extracts. Typically, and preferably, the time required for concentration and detection is less than one hour. The present kit includes internal false position and false negative controls and suitably has a standard color code to assist in the interpretation of the test results. The present kit is a unitary, compartmented package having a reaction chamber, preferably centrally located thereon, and at least one reagent storage chamber. Each reagent storage chamber is connected to the reaction chamber through a valve means which allows fluid flow from the reagent chamber to the reaction chamber, but inhibits flow from the reaction chamber to the reagent chamber. The top portions of the reagent chambers are fabricated of a flexible, or pliable, material, preferably transparent or semi-transparent.