Abstract: New pertussis toxin (PT) mutants are described being immunologically active and having reduced or no toxicity, characterized in that at least one of the aminoacid residues Glu129, Asp11, Trp26, Arg9, Phe50, Asp1, Arg13, Tyr130, Gly86, Ile88, Tyr89, Tyr8, Gly 44, Thr53 and Gly80 or subunit's 1 aminoacid sequence is deleted and substituted by a different aminoacid residue selected in the group of natural aminoacids; Bordetella strains capable of providing and secreting said PT mutants and means and methods for obtaining them are also described. The Bordetella strains and the PT mutants produced by them are particularly suitable for the preparation of effective cellular and acellular antipertussis vaccines. (FIG.

Abstract: Immunologically active polypeptides with no or reduced toxicity useful for the preparation of an antipertussis vaccine. Method for the preparation of said polypeptides which comprises, cultivating a microorganism transformed with a hybrid plasmid including the gene/s which codes for at least one of said polypeptides in a suitable medium and recovering the desired polypeptide from the cells or from the culture medium.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B) and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics.

Abstract: To ensure maximum cross-strain recognition and reactivity, regions of proteins that are conserved between different Neisserial species, serogroups and strains can be used. The invention provides proteins which comprise stretches of amino acid sequence that are shared across the majority of Neisseria, particularly N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract: To ensure maximum cross-strain recognition and reactivity, regions of proteins that are conserved between different Neisserial species, serogroups and strains can be used. The invention provides proteins which comprise stretches of amino acid sequence that are shared across the majority of Neisseria, particularly N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract: An immunogenic detoxified protein is provided which comprises the amino acid sequence of subunit A of an E. coli heat labile toxin (LT-A) or a fragment thereof in which at least amino acid Ala-72 of the A subunits mutated, preferably by substitution with Arg. The toxoid is useful as vaccine against an enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli and is produced by recombinant DNA means by site-directed mutagenesis. It is also an effective adjuvant.

Abstract: This invention provides polypeptides of Helicobacter Pylori cytotoxin associated immunodominant (CAI) antigen. The invention also provides prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines comprising polypeptides of Helicobacter pylori CAI antigen, and methods for preparation. The invention also provides methods of treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection using these vaccines.

Abstract: Mucosal DTPa vaccines, especially intranasal vaccines, comprising (a) a diphtheria antigen, a tetanus antigen and an acellular pertussis antigen, and (b) a detoxified mutant of cholera toxin (CT) or E. coli heat labile toxin (LT). Component (b) acts as a mucosal adjuvant. The acellular pertussis antigen preferably comprises pertussis holotoxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and, optionally, pertactin. The mucosally-delivered combined DTPa formulation is capable of generating a level of protection against B. pertussis infection equivalent to that observed by alum-adjuvanted parenteral administration.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a first biological molecule from a Neisseria bacterium and a second biological molecule from a Neisseria bacterium. The term “biological molecule” includes proteins and nucleic acids. Preferred Neisseria species are N. meningitidis and N.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of obtaining immunogenic proteins from genomic sequences including Neisseria, including the amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences, as well as the genomic sequence of Neisseria meningitidis B.

Abstract: This application relates to improved Group B Streptococcus (“GBS”) saccharide-based vaccines comprising combinations of GBS polysaccharides with polypeptide antigens, and vice versa, such that the polypeptide and the saccharide each contribute to the immunological response in a recipient. The combination is particularly advantageous where the saccharide and polypeptide are from different GBS serotypes. The combined antigens may be present as a simple combination where separate saccharide and polypeptide antigens are administered together, or they may be present as a conjugated combination, where the saccharide and polypeptide antigens are covalently linked to each other.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, protein, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto (e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyepitope carrier proteins that comprise at least five CD4+T cell epitopes, for conjugation to capsular polysaccharides. The carrier proteins are use useful as components of vaccines that can elicit a T-cell dependent immune response. These vaccines are particularly useful to confer protection against infection from encapsulated bacteria in infants between the ages of 3 months and about 2 years.

Abstract: This invention provides polypeptides of Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin associated immunodominant (CAI) antigen. The invention also provides prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines comprising polypeptides of Helicobacter pylori CAI antigen, and methods for their preparation. The invention also provides methods of treatment of Helicobactor pylori infection using these vaccines.

Abstract: An outbreak of a virulent respiratory virus, now known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), was identified in Hong Kong, China and a growing number of countries around the world in 2003. The invention relates to nucleic acids and proteins from the SARS coronavirus. These nucleic acids and proteins can be used in the preparation and manufacture of vaccine formulations, diagnostic reagents, kits, etc. The invention also provides methods for treating SARS by administering small molecule antiviral compounds, as well as methods of identifying potent small molecules for the treatment of SARS.

Abstract: An 85kDa antigen from Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been cloned, sequenced and expressed. The antigen is common to diverse strains, serogroups and serotypes of N. meningitidis, and also to N. gonorrhoeae, N. polysaccharia and N. lactamica. The protein sequences of N. meningitidis (serogroups A and B) and N. gonorrhoeae are highly homologous.

Abstract: An immunogenic detoxified protein is provided which comprises the amino acid sequence of subunit A of an E. coli heat labile toxin (LT-A) or a fragment thereof in which at least amino acid Ala-72, numbered relative to SEQ ID NO:1, of the A subunits mutated, preferably by substitution with Arg. The toxoid is useful as vaccine against an enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli and is produced by recombinant DNA means by site-directed mutagenesis. It is also an effective adjuvant.

Abstract: A non-toxic mucosal adjuvant is provided which may be admixed with further antigens to provide a vaccine administrable to mucosal surfaces in organisms including man. Preferably, the non-toxic mucosal adjuvant is a detoxified mutant of a bacterial ADP-ribosylating toxin, optionally comprising one or more amino acid additions, deletions or substitutions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of a new adhesin islands within the genomes of several Group A and Group B Streptococcus serotypes and isolates. The adhesin islands are thought to encode surface proteins which are important in the bacteria's virulence. Thus, the adhesin island proteins of the invention may be used in immunogenic compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against GAS or GBS infection. For example, the invention may include an immunogenic composition comprising one or more of the discovered adhesin island proteins.

Abstract: Existing methods of meningococcal OMV preparation involve the use of detergent during disruption of the bacterial membrane. According to the invention, membrane disruption is performed substantially in the absence of detergent. The resulting OMVs which retain important bacterial immunogenic components, particularly (i) the protective NspA surface protein, (ii) protein NMB2132 and (iii) protein NMB 1870.