Abstract: Provided herein is an assay for detecting a rough-type mycobacterium and a smooth-type mycobacterium in a sample, wherein the mycobacterium is Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis. The assay comprises a first molecule that selectively binds to the rough-type mycobacterium or binds to a molecule preferentially secreted by the rough-type mycobacterium and a second molecule that selectively binds to the smooth-type mycobacterium or binds to a molecule preferentially secreted by the smooth-type mycobacterium. The first molecule and the second molecule are independently detectable. Also provided herein are corresponding methods for detecting a rough-type mycobacterium and a smooth-type mycobacterium in a sample and assays and methods for detecting tuberculosis infection in a sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is an assay for detecting a rough-type mycobacterium and a smooth-type mycobacterium in a sample, wherein the mycobacterium is Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis. The assay comprises a first molecule that selectively binds to the rough-type mycobacterium or binds to a molecule preferentially secreted by the rough-type mycobacterium and a second molecule that selectively binds to the smooth-type mycobacterium or binds to a molecule preferentially secreted by the smooth-type mycobacterium. The first molecule and the second molecule are independently detectable. Also provided herein are corresponding methods for detecting a rough-type mycobacterium and a smooth-type mycobacterium in a sample and assays and methods for detecting tuberculosis infection in a sample.

Abstract: Provided are mycobacteria deleted in at least a portion of a region 3 ESAT-6-like gene cluster. Also provided are mycobacteria comprising a mutation in an roc-1 gene. Additionally, vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are provided. Further provided are methods of making a recombinant mycobacterium, methods of inducing an immune response in a mammal, methods of inhibiting IL-12 production in a mammal, and methods of stimulating IL-12 production in a mammal. Vaccine adjuvants are also provided, as are methods of inducing immunity to a target antigen in a mammal.

Abstract: Provided are mycobacteria deleted in at least a portion of a region 3 ESAT-6-like gene cluster. Also provided are mycobacteria comprising a mutation in an roc-1 gene. Additionally, vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are provided. Further provided are methods of making a recombinant mycobacterium, methods of inducing an immune response in a mammal, methods of inhibiting IL-12 production in a mammal, and methods of stimulating IL-12 production in a mammal. Vaccine adjuvants are also provided, as are methods of inducing immunity to a target antigen in a mammal.

Abstract: Methods of treating a mammal that is deficient in CD4+ and/or CD8+ lymphocytes are provided. The methods comprise inoculating the mammal with an attenuated mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex. In these methods, the mycobacterium comprises two deletions, wherein a virulent mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex having either deletion exhibits attenuated virulence. Use of these mycobacteria for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of mammals deficient in CD4+ and/or CD8+ lymphocytes is also provided.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring mycobacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are provided. These mycobacteria have a deletion of an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin, and exhibit attenuated virulence in a mammal when compared to the mycobacteria without the deletion. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mycobacteria that have a deletion of a region controlling production of lysine, and mycobacteria comprising two attenuating deletions. Vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are also provided, as are methods of protecting mammals from virulent mycobacteria using the vaccines. Also provided are methods of preparing these vaccines which include the step of deleting an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin from a mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex.

Abstract: Methods of treating a mammal that is deficient in CD4+ and/or CD8+ lymphocytes are provided. The methods comprise inoculating the mammal with an attenuated mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex. In these methods, the mycobacterium comprises two deletions, wherein a virulent mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex having either deletion exhibits attenuated virulence. Use of these mycobacteria for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of mammals deficient in CD4+ and/or CD8+ lymphocytes is also provided.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring mycobacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are provided. These mycobacteria have a deletion of an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin, and exhibit attenuated virulence in a mammal when compared to the mycobacteria without the deletion. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mycobacteria that have a deletion of a region controlling production of lysine, and mycobacteria comprising two attenuating deletions. Vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are also provided, as are methods of protecting mammals from virulent mycobacteria using the vaccines. Also provided are methods of preparing these vaccines which include the step of deleting an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin from a mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex.

Abstract: A Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae protein prepared by recombinant DNA or synthetic means, DNA sequences coding for the protein, an expression vector and transformed host containing the DNA sequences, a vaccine based on the protein, a vaccine based on the DNA sequences, methods of treating swine to prevent enzootic pneumonia using the vaccines, and diagnostic tests based on the protein or antibodies raised against it for detecting the presence of Mhyo infection in swine herds.