Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions involve SdrD, ClfA, and/or FnbpB polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis, including the amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are predicted to be useful antigens for vaccines and/or diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases by mucosal delivery by micro-organism, in particular Lactococcus lactis, of secreted immunodominant antigens.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins and compositions for the treatment and prevention of Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus; GBS).

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions, comprising polypeptides isolated from Staphylococcus epidermidis. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding Staphylococcus epidermidis polypeptides and their use in immunogenic compositions. In addition, the invention relates to methods of inducing an immune response in mammals against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus using immunogenic compositions of the Staphylococcus epidermidis polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention also relates to methods for detecting Staphylococcus epidermidis in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and fusion proteins containing at least two Mycobacterium sp. antigens, and polynucleotides encoding such compositions and fusion proteins. The invention also relates to methods for their use in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of tuberculosis infections.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of GAS57 (Spy0416) which are unable to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The invention also provides antibodies which specifically bind to GAS57 and which inhibit its ability to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates. The mutants are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The antibodies are useful, e.g., as therapeutics for treating S. pyogenes infections.

Abstract: There is provided a vaccine for controlling Clostridium perfringens in animals, and particularly necrotic enteritis in poultry. The vaccine may comprise a C. perfringens antigenic polypeptide or variant thereof, a nucleic acid encoding the C. perfringens antigenic polypeptide or variant thereof, or a recombinant cell producing the C. perfringens antigenic polypeptide or variant thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for stimulating in an individual an immune response against M. catarrhalis. The method comprises administering to an individual a composition comprising M. catarrhalis OppA protein in an amount effective to stimulate an immune response against M. catarrhalis in the individual.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of outer membrane vesicles (OMV) and their uses. More particularly the present invention provides OMV obtained from a bacterium being an ompA mutant and/or a mutant in one or more components of the TolPal complex and presenting a heterologous antigen on its surface. The heterologous antigen is selected from the group consisting of Chlamydia trachomatis CT823, CT681, CT372, CT443, CT043, CT733, CT279, CT601 and CT153 for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection.

Abstract: The M01573 sequence of meningococcal fHbp offers poor coverage in a vaccine. The invention addresses this poor coverage in two ways. In a first aspect, a fHbp-based vaccine includes two family I fHbp sequences, one which is more closely related to MC58 than to M01573, and vice versa. In a second aspect, a multi-family fHbp-based vaccine uses a family I fHbp sequence which is more closely related to MC58 than to M01573, in combination with a family III fHbp sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated Ehrlichia peptide and therapeutic and diagnostic uses therefor.

Abstract: Leptospira outer membrane proteins (OMPs) LP1454, LP1118, LP1939, MCEII, CADF-like1, CADF-like2, CADF-like3, Lp0022, Lp1499, Lp4337, Lp328 or L21 are provided. The OMPS can be used as tools for developing effective vaccines or diagnostic methods for leptospirosis. Expression vectors for the OMP genes are further provided. The antigenic properties of the Leptospira OMPs can be used to create, manufacture or improve vaccines. Vaccines, including but not limited to DNA vaccines, recombinant vaccines, and T-cell epitope vaccines based on the foregoing OMPs are also provided. Methods for producing such vaccines are also provided. Also provided are methods for using Leptospira OMP genes, proteins and antibodies for therapeutic treatment and serological diagnosis techniques.

Abstract: A recombinant avian infectious coryza vaccine and a process for preparing the same are provided. A process for preparing a recombinant avian infectious coryza vaccine which comprises step of constructing E. coli that may produce as an inclusion body a fusion peptide consisting of peptides derived from outer-membrane protein of Avibacterium paragarinarum serotype A and serotype C, step of culturing said E. coli and colleting and purifying inclusion body from culture, and step of preparing a preparation comprising said purified inclusion body, and an avian infectious coryza vaccine comprising as an active ingredient the fusion peptide. A linker sequence may be inserted between the respective peptides comprising the fusion peptide. For the peptide derived from the serotypes A and C, an amino acid sequence region of Region 2 or its vicinity responsible for protection from infection may be used.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to immunogenic compositions comprising an isolated immunogenic S. pneumoniae PcpA polypeptide and at least one additional antigen (such as for example, an isolated immunogenic S. pneumoniae polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the polyhistidine triad family of proteins (e.g. PhtD) and methods of using these compositions for preventing and treating diseases caused by S. pneumoniae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic immunogen represented by the general formula 1, useful for generating long lasting protective immunity against various intracellular pathogens which are the causative agents of tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, AIDS, trypanosomiasis, malaria and also allergy, cancer and a process for the preparation thereof. The developed immunogen is able to circumvent HLA restriction in humans and livestock. The invention further relates to a vaccine comprising the said immunogen for generating enduring protective immunity against various diseases. The said vaccine is targeted against intracellular pathogens, more particularly the pathogen M. tuberculosis in this case. In the present invention, promiscuous peptides of M. tuberculosis are conjugated to TLR ligands especially; Pam2Cys to target them mainly to dendritic cells and therefore elicit long-lasting protective immunity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and fusion proteins containing at least two Mycobacterium sp. antigens, and polynucleotides encoding such compositions and fusion proteins. The invention also relates to methods for their use in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of classifying an epitope displayed by a polypeptide; a method of determining the presence of an epitope on a polypeptide encoded by a test nucleotide sequence; and a method of generating a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that exhibits a selected epitope. The present invention provides antigenic polypeptides that display selected epitope(s); chimeric macromolecules comprising such polypeptides; and compositions comprising the antigenic polypeptides or chimeric macromolecules. The present invention further provides methods of inducing an immune response to a Chlamydia. The present invention further provides arrays of nucleic acids, arrays of polypeptides, and arrays of antibodies, which arrays are useful in identification and/or classification of a Chlamydia.

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. Each mutant toxin includes 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 further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: Bacterial immunity proteins are utilized to increase immune response to an antigen of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of Neisserial disease. Immunogenic compositions of the invention comprise the Hsf (also called Msf) and Opc neisserial antigens. These antigens have been found to be the two mechanisms by which Neisseria meningitidis binds host vitronectin (in order to promote adhesion and/or to evade host complement mediated killing). Vaccines comprising both antigens can thus advantageously result in an immune response which is better able to kill neisserial strains and otherwise prevent vitronectin-related neisserial complement mediated killing resistance and/or neisserial adhesion events required for pathogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising combinations of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens and their use in vaccines. The composition may comprise at least two components, one component of which comprises Chlamydia trachomatis antigens for eliciting a Chlamydia trachomatis specific TH1 immune response and another component of which comprises antigens for eliciting a Chlamydia trachomatis specific TH2 immune response. The invention further relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a Chlamydia trachomatis Type III secretion system (TTSS) regulatory protein and a Chlamydia trachomatis Type III secretion system (TTSS) secreted protein or a fragment thereof. The invention further relates to the use of combinations of adjuvants for use with antigens associated with a sexually transmissible disease, such as Chlamydia trachomatis antigens. Preferred adjuvant combinations include mineral salts, such as aluminium salts and oligonucleotides comprising a CpG motif.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of mycobacterial antigens which are highly immunogenic and which may be used in assays and methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and the discrimination between infected animals and animals previously exposed to vaccines.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biologically pure culture of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE, as well as an antimicrobial agent isolated and/or purified from the culture having any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and 64-66. The disclosure also provides compositions and articles of manufacture comprising an antimicrobial agent and/or the bacterial cell of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE. Further provided are methods of use, including methods of affecting microbial activity, methods of inhibiting growth and/or proliferation of a microbe, methods of treating a condition or disease associated with the presence of a microbe, and methods of treating a microbial infection in a subject comprising contacting a microbial cell with at least one active agent of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and 64-66 and/or the bacterial cell Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE. The disclosure also provides the biosynthetic machinery (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antigenic composition, the composition comprising at least one recombinant protein. The recombinant protein comprises at least one epitope. The epitope is reactive with an antibody which is reactive with a polypeptide having the sequence set out in SEQ. ID. NO. 3 or SEQ. ID. NO. 5. The invention also provides methods and compositions for the production of the recombinant protein. Also provided are methods for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of P. gingivalis infection.

Abstract: Polypeptides that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for different fHbp variant strains of N. meningitidis, and methods of use, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new antigens of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, antigenic compositions comprising at least two of said antigens, as well as epitopes, antibodies or hypervariable fragments thereof and nucleotide sequences coding for them. The present invention also concerns their use in diagnosis and/or vaccination against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, in mammals, and in particular in cattle, but also in sheep and caprines. The invention also concerns their potential application in diagnosis and/or vaccination against Crohn's disease in human.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide an assay system using split luciferase that has a remarkably high detection sensitivity. In an embodiment, binding of mutually binding first and second proteins is detected by preparing a first fusion protein comprising the first protein fused with a peptide having the amino acid sequence of amino acid SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second fusion protein comprising the second protein fused with a peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid SEQ ID NOS: 2 to 6, and allowing the first fusion protein to bind with the second fusion protein to form a complex, and detecting luminescence emitted from the complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric protein vaccines and methods of use thereof in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of generating an immune response in a mammal, that includes administering to the mammal, a composition having a chimeric protein having at least one of: a portion of a cholera toxin, a portion of a heat-labile toxin, and a portion of a shiga toxin; and an antigen having at least one of an antigenic material from S. aureus and an antigenic material from a S. aureus-specific polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention regards polypeptides capable of eliciting an immunological response that is protective against Chlamydia trachomatis. The polypeptide comprises a first amino acid sequence which has at least 90% homology with the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second amino acid sequence which has at least 90% homology with the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2. Furthermore, production of these polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are also provided.

Abstract: Proteins encoded by Chlamydia trachomatis which are immunogenic in humans as a consequence of infection have been identified using Western blots of two-dimensional electrophoretic maps. Several known immunogens were identified, as were proteins not previously known to be immunogens, and proteins not previously reported as expressed gene products.

Abstract: The present invention features peptides of a PorB polypeptide, which PorB peptides are useful in production of antibodies that bind the full-length PorB polypeptide and as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiments the invention features a composition comprising one or more PorB peptides (other than a full-length PorB polypeptide), which peptides contain at least one epitope that can elicit Chlamydia-neutralizing antibodies. The invention also features methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to vaccination for AOM and children prone to AOM.

Abstract: The invention provides protective antigens which are useful in vaccine compositions to induce protection against gram positive bacteria, particularly against S. agalactiae, S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, S. suis, and S. equi.

Abstract: Factor H binding protein (fHBP) has been proposed for use in immunising against serogroup B meningococcus (‘MenB’). This antigen can be efficiently adsorbed to an aluminium hydroxyphosphate adjuvant by (i) ensuring that adsorption takes place at a pH which is equal to or below the adjuvant's point of zero charge (PZC), and/or (ii) selecting a fHBP and adjuvant with an isoelectric point/PZC within the range of 5.0 to 7, and/or (iii) selecting a fHBP with an isoelectric point above the adjuvant's PZC and using a buffer to bring the pH to within 1.2 pH units of the PZC. The adsorption is particularly useful for compositions which include multiple fHBP variants, and also in situations where an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant should be avoided. Buffered pharmaceutical compositions can include at least two different meningococcal fHBP antigens, both of which are at least 85% adsorbed to aluminium hydroxyphosphate adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis polypeptides and nucleotides. The polypeptides include an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ. ID. NO. 110; SEQ. ID. NO. 111; SEQ. ID. NO. 112; SEQ. ID. NO. 113; SEQ ID NO: 120; SEQ. ID. NO. 123; SEQ. ID. NO. 124; SEQ. ID. NO. 125; SEQ. ID. NO. 130; SEQ. ID. NO. 131; SEQ. ID. NO. 132; SEQ. ID. NO. 133; SEQ. ID. NO. 135; SEQ. ID. NO. 136; SEQ. ID. NO. 137; SEQ. ID. NO. 138; SEQ. ID. NO. 143; SEQ. ID. NO. 144; SEQ. ID. NO. 145; SEQ. ID. NO. 146; SEQ. ID. NO. 147; SEQ. ID. NO. 148; and amino acid sequences at least 95% identical thereto.

Abstract: Therapeutic vaccines comprising polypeptides expressed during the latent stage of mycobacteria infection are provided, as are multiphase vaccines, and methods for treating and preventing tuberculosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by Yersinia pestis. The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions of such antigens and/or vaccines. The present invention provides methods for the production of Y. pestis protein antigens in plants, as well as methods for their use in the treatment and/or prevention of Y. pestis infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to polypeptides having antigenic epitopes from granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) regulon encoding type IV pili. In particular, the invention relates to type IV pili from nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi) and from H. influenzae strains a, b, c, e and f. The invention provides isolated H. influenzae pilus polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides as well as polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides involved in the assembly/disassembly of the structure. The invention also relates to uses of these polynucleotides and/or polypeptides including methods for eliciting an immune response to H. influenzae and methods of treating and preventing H. influenzae related pathological conditions.

Abstract: There is provided an antigenic composition comprising (a) a first mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide or a first mycobacterial polynucleotide; and (b) a second mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide or a second mycobacterial polynucleotide; wherein: (i) said first mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 70% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 7, or a fragment thereof having at least 7 consecutive amino acids thereof; (ii) said first mycobacterial polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding said first mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide; (iii) said second mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 70% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, or a fragment thereof having at least 7 consecutive amino acids thereof; and (iv) said second mycobacterial polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding said second mycobacterial polypeptid

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the selective identification of Chlamydia trachomatis infections wherein the antigens CT017, CT098, CT318-L1 P, CT431-TARP, CT603-TSAP, and CT664 are used for the specific identification of Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in samples from mammals. The method according to the invention facilitates the selective identification method of identification of Chlamydia trachomatis infections, in which no false positive results are generated by other Chlamydia species such as, for example, Chlamydia pneumoniae. The invention further relates to a biochip which has the aforementioned Chlamydia trachomatis-specific antigens for the identification of antibodies. The biochip with antigens according to the invention is suitable for multiparameter identification methods in particular.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigens, more particularly antigenS of Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A Streptococcus (GAS)) bacterial pathogen which are useful as vaccine component for therapy and/or prophylaxis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a hyperimmune serum reactive antigen or a fragment thereof as well as hyperimmune serum reactive antigens or fragments thereof from S. pneumoniae, methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof.

Abstract: Novel proteins that constitute modified forms of a Neisseria meningitidis surface antigen and encoding nucleic acids are provided. The modified surface proteins are characterized by having deletions of non-conserved amino acids, and thereby being capable of eliciting cross-protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis. The invention extends to the use of the modified surface antigens in diagnostics, in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and in the design and/or screening of medicaments. The modified surface antigens are particularly useful in vaccines which effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains than would be expected from a corresponding wild-type surface antigen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a hyperimmune serum reactive antigen or a fragment thereof as well as hyperimmune serum reactive antigens or fragments thereof from S. agalactiae, and methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optimized recombinant flagellin protein and preparation and use thereof. The protein is with a deletion in the hypervariable region, said hypervariable region is the region from 180 to 400 amino acid of the flagellin protein, and the proteins include FliC?190-278, FliC?220-320 or FliC?180-400. The method of preparing said protein, comprising introducing a deletion into the hypervariable region of the flagellin protein. First constructed the flagellin protein recombinant plasmid, and then used it as template to construct the flagellin deletion cloning, and expressed and purified. The present invention also provides the use of the recombinant flagellin protein as adjuvant. The recombinant flagellin protein in present invention decreases the potential risks it may have, and decreases its antigenicity and immunogenicity and the inflammatory response induced by it, through deleting its main areas of immunogenicity and antigen activity.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acid sequences of a streptococcal matrix adhesion E (EmaE) polypeptide. Antibodies to the EmaE polypeptide and immunogenic fragments thereof are also provided. This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions, vaccines, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods of use of the isolated polypeptide, antibodies thereto, and nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surface proteins of Moraxella catarrhalis and their ability to interact with epithelial cells via cell-associated fibronectin and laminin, and also to their ability to inhibit the complement system. These surface proteins are useful in the preparation of vaccines. The present disclosure also provides peptides interacting with fibronectin, laminin and the complement system.