Abstract: Clostridium difficile disease involves a range of clinical presentations ranging from mild to self-limiting diarrhea to life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis and megacolon. Cases of C. difficile are treated differently depending on severity of disease. Mild and moderate cases may be treated with metronidazole while moderate-to-severe and relapsing cases are often treated with vancomycin or fidaxomicin. The presence of C. difficile disease is detected using a biomarker panel that includes C. difficile antigen (GDH), toxins A and B, and fecal lactoferrin. In patients suspected of C. difficile disease, if GDH is detected indicating the presence of C. difficile, and then toxins A and/or B are detected to indicate toxigenic C. difficile and support a diagnosis of C. difficile-associated disease, fecal lactoferrin concentrations are measured to determine severity of the disease by indicating the amount of intestinal inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.

Abstract: Accurate and fast detection of the presence of Campylobacter disease is important for the proper treatment of patients with Campylobacter infection. Present tests depend upon culture of viable bacteria and identification by microscopy, which requires care, skill, and two or more days for conclusive results. The current invention improves the ease of use and overcomes the limitations of loss of viability and delay inherent in Campylobacter bacterial culture and provides a more rapid alternative for the identification and diagnosis of Campylobacter and campylobacteriosis. The invention provides a new method of detecting Campylobacter by utilizing an outer membrane protein (OMP 18) to develop antibodies for use in immunoassays of bacterial cultures or human fecal samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.

Abstract: Accurate and fast detection of the presence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) disease is crucial for the proper treatment of patients with C. difficile infection. Present tests detecting the presence of C. difficile disease are fast and cost effective, but are not very sensitive. Using an ELISA including Cell Wall Protein 84 (Cwp84) increases the sensitivity of the ELISA. Cwp84 may be used alone or in combination with other markers to support a diagnosis of C. difficile-associated disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides materials, compositions, methods, and kits for deterring or repelling animals from eating plant materials. The invention relates to the use of particulate matter to deter animals from eating plant materials that are susceptible to grazing by animals. In exemplary embodiments, an adhesive is applied to target plant material and the particulate matter is then applied prior to curing or drying of the adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical immunology and further to pharmaceutical compositions, methods of making and methods of use of vaccines. More specifically this invention relates to recombinant proteins derived from the genes encoding Clostridium difficile toxin A and toxin B, and their use in an active vaccine against C. difficile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical immunology and further to pharmaceutical compositions, methods of making and methods of use of vaccines. More specifically this invention relates to recombinant proteins derived from the genes encoding Clostridium difficile toxin A and toxin B, and their use in an active vaccine against C. difficile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical immunology and further to pharmaceutical compositions, methods of making and methods of use of vaccines. More specifically this invention relates to recombinant proteins derived from the genes encoding Clostridium difficile toxin A and toxin B, and their use in an active vaccine against C. difficile.

Abstract: Recombinant protein C characterized by a high percentage of active protein can be obtained in the milk of transgenic mammals that incorporate DNAs according to the present invention. Transgenic mammals of the present invention are produced by introducing into developing embryos DNA that encodes protein C, such that the DNA is stably incorporated in the DNA of germ line cells of the mature mammals and inherited in normal, mendelian fashion.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the presence of C. difficile toxin A. Stool or other appropriate specimen is contacted with a reagent containing the human X, Y or I-antigens, each of which is a specific receptor for toxin A. The reagent may be intact cells, cell membranes, membrane fractions containing any of these antigens, glycoconjugates, as well as the purified oligosaccharide antigen per se. Binding of toxin A is determined by conventional assay techniques. The method may also be used to isolate and purify toxin A. Conversely, immobilized toxin A may be used to detect, isolate, or purify biological materials of interest expressing the X, Y or I antigens.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibody to toxin A of C.difficile has been prepared and is used in an assay for toxin A of C.difficile.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the presence of C. difficile toxin A. Stool or other appropriate specimen is contacted with a reagent containing an available non-reducing galactose-alpha-1-3-galactosyl structure, which is a specific receptor for toxin A. The reagent may be intact cells, cell membranes, membrane fractions containing the toxin A receptor structure, glycoconjugates, as well as the purified toxin A receptor per se. Binding of toxin A is determined by conventional assay techniques. The method may also be used to isolate and purify toxin A. Conversely, immobilized toxin A is used to detect, isolate, or purify biological materials of interest containing the receptor structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions which comprise at least one antigen chemically linked to a water-insoluble support combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It also relates to a method of stimulating an organism's immune system by administration of these vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Mono-specific antibodies for each of toxin A and toxin B of C. difficile are produced and used in an assay for toxin A and toxin B, respectively. Purified toxin A of C. difficile is also produced.

Abstract: Mono-specific antibodies for each of toxin A and toxin B of C. difficile are produced and used in an assay for toxin A and toxin B, respectively. Purified toxin A of C. difficile is also produced.