Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. The mutant toxin may include a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods and compositions for use in culturing Clostridium difficile and in producing C. difficile toxins.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising modified O-polysaccharide molecules derived from E. coli lipopolysaccharides and conjugates thereof. Multivalent vaccines may be prepared by combining two or more monovalent immunogenic compositions for different E. coli serotypes. In one embodiment, the modified O-polysaccharide molecules are produced by a recombinant bacterium that includes a wzz gene.

Abstract: Polyamide monofilaments are provided of greater than about 1000 denier having a formic acid relative viscosity of at least about 60. The monofilaments have a tenacity greater than about 10 gpd, an along end standard deviation of tenacity of less than 0.1 gpd, and a hot air shrinkage at 177.degree. C. of less than about 15%. In another embodiment, the monofilaments have a cured-in-rubber tenacity greater than about 10 gpd.