Abstract: The present invention is directed to heat shock proteins from Mycobacterium leprae as well as their encoding polynucleotides and vectors and host cells containing these polynucleotides. These heat shock proteins and their encoding polynucleotides are useful in detection of Mycobacterium leprae. In addition, the heat shock protein can be used as an adjuvant in a pharmaceutical composition containing an antigen to induce or enhance the immune response against the antigen. Further, the heat shock protein may be used to treat atopic conditions or as a vaccine against Mycobacterium leprae. Alternatively, the heat shock protein can be used to form a fusion protein with an antigen to induce or enhance the immune response against the antigen.

Abstract: Topical drug compositions of this invention contain delayed type contact sensitizing haptens in a unique non-flowable, non-toxic, non-volatile, anhydrous gel composition to achieve retained site application on warts and other human papilloma virus (HPV) skin infections. The preferred gelled compositions contain, but are not limited to, the sensitizing haptens, squaric acid dibutylester and diphenylcyclopropenone in optimized blends of Polysorbate 80, Isopropyl myristate uniquely gelled with Polyoxyl 40 stearate to form a penetrant of keratinized epitheliiuim of warts for direct application wherein virucidal pharlacologic action is induced by Th-1 cell mediated immune responses with resultant releases of CD4 helper T cells, CD8 killer T cells and cytokines to attack the human papilloma viruses.

Abstract: The compositions and methods of this invention are used to assess the level of immune competence of tested individuals based on the degree of immune response as a surrogate marker of CD4 T Cell lymphocytes as measured by the intensity of the resultant skin reaction score following controlled topical application of a unique anhydrous composition containing a contact sensitizer. The results of assessment are useful in determining appropriate treatment of immuno-compromised patients. Preferred compositions contain, but are not limited to, Diphenylcyclpropenone as a preferred embodiment of the class of contact sensitizing agents applied to the skin in an optimally prepared formulation preferably containing about 0.4% of the contact sensitizer.