Abstract: Disclosed herein are vaccine compositions comprising live attenuated virus with anti-antibody to improve efficacy. Specifically exemplified herein is a composition comprising live attenuated cold adapted influenza virus and an enhancing amount of IgG anti-IgA antibody to temporarily inactivate IgA defenses. Also disclosed herein are methods of immunizing a subject to protect against influenza comprising administering compositions taught herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vaccine compositions comprising live attenuated virus with anti-antibody to improve efficacy. Specifically exemplified herein is a composition comprising live attenuated cold adapted influenza virus and an enhancing amount of IgG anti-IgA antibody to temporarily inactivate IgA defenses. Also disclosed herein are methods of immunizing a subject to protect against influenza comprising administering compositions taught herein.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: A method for clinical scoring that involves evaluating certain parameters found in nasal secretia is disclosed. Contact of a nasal secretion with indicators for pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and/or TAME esterase activity permits diagnosis and differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, esterase activity, and eosinophil content of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, esterase activity, nitrite content, and eosinophil content.

Abstract: A kit for detecting upper respiratory conditions. The kit includes a container for collecting nasal secretions. The kit further comprises a means for providing a differential readout upon contact with the nasal secretions.

Abstract: A method for detecting upper respiratory conditions. The method includes implementation of a device upon which are fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content and/or leukocyte esterase activity.

Abstract: A device for detecting upper respiratory conditions. The device includes a support upon which are fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content and/or leukocyte esterase activity. The device further comprises a container to facilitate collection of nasal secretion sample in order to test for different upper respiratory conditions.

Abstract: A device for collecting nasal secretions that comprises a container designed to fit about a patient's nose. The device comprises a ventilation means to allow the patient to blow their nose into the container while preventing the undesired dispersion of nasal secretion onto the patient and their surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: Improved aerodynamically light particles for vaccine delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamically light vaccine:) are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/ml and a mass mean diameter between 5 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of a functionalized polyester graft copolymer consisting of a linear .alpha.-hydroxy-acid polyester backbone having at least one amino acid group incorporated therein and it least one poly(amino acid) side chain extending from an amino acid group in the polyester backbone. In one embodiment, aerodynamically light vaccine particles having a large mean diameter, for example greater than 5 &mgr;m, can be used for enhanced delivery of a vaccine agent to the alveolar region of the lung.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: This method for non-invasively, rapidly and simply distinguishing between allergies, viral infections and sinusitis involves testing nasal secretions, preferably with commercially available (Ames Division, Miles Laboratories, Inc., Elkhart, Ind. 46515; or from Boehringer Mannheim Corporation, Advanced Diagnostics, 9115 Hague Road, P.O. Box 50457, Indianapolis, Ind. 46250-0457) or novel, modified reagent test strips. The commercially available strips, also referred to as dipsticks, test for pH, protein, nitrite, glucose, ketone, white blood cell esterase, bilirubin and blood. In the method of this invention, a sample of a patient's nasal secretions is tested and, based on the pH, amount of protein, nitrite, esterase and a measure of eosinophil infiltration, it can quickly be determined if the patient is suffering from an allergy, from a viral infection or a bacterial infection. The method has the potential to supplant much more expensive and invasive clinical procedures.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel recombinant vaccinia virus vaccine for use in immunizing animals and humans against disease. The vaccine comprises a live vaccinia or replication deficient mutant vaccinia virus capable of expressing a single or multiple heterologous genes or gene fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the recombinant virus is contained in an orally-administered package that will only dissolve in the host animal's gut. The subject invention also pertains to a method of inducing a broad protective immune response through the oral administration of the recombinant vaccinia virus.