Abstract: The invention concerns a methylated immunogenic recombinant peptide sequence comprising mycobacterial heparin-binding hemagglutinin. The invention also concerns chemical and enzymatic methods for preparing such a sequence, the sequence being previously produced in a non-methylated recombinant form then methylated by post-translational modification. The invention further concerns recombinant tools, vectors and host cells for implementing post-translational enzymatic methylation of the recombinant HBHA. The invention finally concerns immunogenic compositions comprising methylated, native or recombinant HBHA, such compositions being useful for preparing vaccines against mycobacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein, preferably a hyperimmune serum-reactive antigen from Borrelia, a vector comprising such nucleic acid molecule, a host cell comprising such vector, a protein, preferably a hyperimmune serum-reactive antigen from Borrelia, a process for producing such protein, a process for producing a cell which expresses such protein, an antibody that binds to such protein, a hybridoma cell producing such antibody, a method for producing such antibody, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody, use of such nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody for the manufacture of a medicament, a method for identifying an antagonist capable of reducing or inhibiting the activity of such protein, a method for diagnosis or treatment of an infection with a pathogen causing Lyme disease or an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and treatment of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys infection.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of identifying patients having rheumatic heart disease (RHD) associated with Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; GAS) infection and identifying patients at risk of developing RHD associated with GAS infection. The invention also provides methods and compositions for preventing and treating RHD associated with GAS infection.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, proteins, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors. This invention also provides compositions of the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: Hyperimmune serum reactive antigens and fragments thereof are disclosed. In addition, methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof, including the treatment of S. epidermidis infections, are disclosed.

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: The disclosure relates to fusions of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one example, a toxiod heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (STa) fusion is described. This fusion may include LT with a substituted amino acid at position 192, a linker, and STa with a substituted amino acid at positions 11, 12, 13, or 14. Further provided are vaccines containing the disclosed fusions. Example methods for administering to a subject the disclosed vaccines and using the fusions and vaccines to reduce or eliminate contamination of a food or water supply are additionally contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides enzymes capable of hydrolysing organophosphate (OP) molecules. In particular, the invention provides a phosphotriesterase enzyme identified from an Agrobacterium radiobacter strain isolated from soil that hydrolyses OP pesticides, and the gene encoding that enzyme. The invention also provides mutants of the identified phosphotriesterase enzyme which have altered substrate specificity. The use of these enzymes in bioremediation strategies is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: An antichlamydial agent comprising an inhibitor of Chlamydial Protease-like Activity Factor (CPAF). The inhibitor of CPAF can comprise a CPAF inhibitory segment and can optionally include one or more additional residues or domains. Also provided are compositions comprising an inhibitor of CPAF, methods of identifying an inhibitor of CPAF, and methods of treating a Chlamydia infection in a subject comprising administering an inhibitor of CPAF or a composition comprising an inhibitor of CPAF to the subject.

Abstract: This invention concerns compositions and methods of treating or diagnosing inflammatory disorders and other disorders, as well as compositions and methods of treating HIV.

Abstract: Immunogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (0157) proteins expressed during infection of a mammal, are described. In particular, 0157 proteins expressed specifically in vivo during human and cattle infection were identified. These proteins, mapped to the backbone, O-islands (OIs) and pO157. Because these-proteins are expressed during infection, and might help pathogens adapt to and counter hostile in vivo environments, those proteins identified in this study are useful as targets for drug and vaccine development. Also, such proteins are useful as markers of 0157 infection in stool specimens. Also described are methods of identifying immunogenic proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of GAS57 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: The use of flagellin and flagellin related polypectides for the protection of mammals from the effects of apoptsis is described.

Abstract: There is provided a method of selecting an anti-macrophage micro-organism comprising an anti-macrophage factor, the method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining an assay micro-organism and preparing a sample thereof; b) lysing the assay micro-organism cells contained in the sample from (a) to form a lysate fluid; c) contacting a sample of macrophage cells with the lysate fluid from step (b); d) determining the macrophage cell viability and comparing the viability to the viability of macrophage cells in a control macrophage sample; and e) selecting the micro-organism as an anti-macrophage micro-organism if the viability is reduced by at least 10%. The anti-macrophage factors identifiable by methods according to the invention can be used in the formulation of vaccines and other therapies against disorders caused by the anti-macrophage micro-organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for construction of pharmamers i.e. vaccine components characterized by their multimerization domain and the attached biologically active molecules, and their use in preparation of vaccines that contains the pharmamers alone or in combination with other molecules. The individual molecules of the construct can be bound to each other or the multimerization domain(s) by covalent or non-covalent bonds, directly or via linkers. The invention further relates to the use of such preparations in vaccine settings aimed to function as preventive/prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines in humans and animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borrelia, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies.

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: Compositions and methods for treatment of toxin poisoning are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein or a fragment or a variant of said protein, wherein the protein, fragment, or variant is capable of producing a protective immune response in an animal, wherein the immune response is protective against infection by Burkholderia species. Also provided is a method of preventing or treating infection in an animal caused by Burkholderia species which comprises administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention to the animal infected with Burkholderia species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by Bacillus anthracis. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production and use of such antigens and vaccine compositions.

Abstract: A composition comprising (a) Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), and (b) an immunogenic component selected from other Neisseria proteins, or immunogenic fragments thereof. Component (b) preferably includes a protein from a different NmB strain from that from which the OMV of component (a) is derived. The OMVs are preferably obtained by deoxycholate extraction. Optionally, the composition may also comprise a protective antigen against other pathogens.

Abstract: Influenza, pneumococcus and/or RSV vaccines are administered as a combination vaccine while retaining immunogenic efficacy. This combination simplifies immunisation against these two lower respiratory tract infections. The pneumococcal vaccine ideally includes at least one pneumococcal polypeptide.

Abstract: Methods for producing an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are disclosed herein. In several examples, the immune response is a protective immune response. In additional embodiments, methods are disclosed for inhibiting an infection with Mtb, preventing an infection with Mtb, or treating an infection with Mtb. Pharmaceutical compositions for the inhibition, prevention and/or treatment of tuberculosis are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide based toxin that originates from Clostridium perfringens. The invention further relates to immunogenic compositions comprising the toxin and methods to vaccinate animals, for example chickens, such that they are less susceptible to clostridial diseases. Methods to determine whether an animal has been exposed to the toxin, polynucleotides encoding the toxin and attenuated bacteria that express a reduced or less active form of the toxin are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for increasing an immune response to an opportunistic infection in an immunocompromised subject. In one embodiment, the subject is infected with a lentivirus. The method includes increasing an immune response to a pathogen using D oligodeoxynucleotides including a CpG motif.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic composition comprising a pharmaceutically active agent and a diarrheagenic agent, wherein the diarrheagenic agent induces diarrhea to reduce the harmful or undesired side effects of the pharmaceutically active agent when the pharmaceutically active agent is ingested at a dose higher than the prescribed dose.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydial infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a Chlamydia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided, together with antibodies directed against such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Chlamydial infection in patients and in biological samples.

Abstract: An antigenic composition comprises at least one antigen, wherein said at least one antigen comprises at least part of a protein selected from EndoSe of Streptococcus equi subsp. Equi, EndoSz of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, and Endo S of Streptococcus pyogenes, and wherein said at least part of said protein comprises at least one antigenic epitope. A vaccine composition comprising the antigenic composition as immunizing component, methods for producing the antigeninc composition and the vaccine composition, use of the vaccine composition for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment, and an antibody preparation comprising monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies specific for an antigen or antigens of the antigenic composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a live vaccine from a culture of cells of Haemophilus parasuis exhibiting attenuated pathogenicity and capable of triggering a protective immune response when administered to pigs. The cell culture was modified from a pathogenic parent strain by MNNG mutagenesis and was selected by complete dependence on streptomycin for growth. Several SNPs have been identified as associated with specific proteins that are associated with virulence as seen in the literature in H. parasuis or related bacterial species.

Abstract: Rhodococcus equi (R.equi) has been determined to have a major adhesion factor encoded by a rpl pathogenicity island which enables host colonisation, wherein the rpl pathogenicity islandis absent from non-pathogenic Rhodococcus species. Further, the proteins (Rpl) encoded by the rpl pathogenicity island have been determined to be major immunodominant antigens. There is provided a novel diagnostic marker and vaccine candidate for R. equi in horses and other susceptible species.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the development of a vaccine against Aeromonas hydrophila for use especially in fish. The invention provides an immunogenic S-layer protein of approximately 50 kDa of A. hydrophila for use in the development of a vaccine, as well as the nucleic acid encoding said protein and vaccines comprising said protein or nucleic acid encoding said protein.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, proteins, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors. This invention also provides compositions of the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions of modified toxins exhibiting reduced immunogenicity and reduced binding to vascular endothelium or vascular endothelial cells, thereby reducing the incidence of Vascular Leak Syndrome. Also provided are polypeptide toxophores from a modified diphtheria toxin, where modifications are in at least one amino acid residue of at least one T-cell epitope. Another aspect relates to a polypeptide toxophore from a modified diphtheria toxin, where modifications are in at least one amino acid residue of at least one T-cell epitope and at least one amino acid residue of at least one VLS motif of an unmodified native diphtheria toxin. Another aspect relates to a fusion protein which comprises a modified diphtheria toxin and a non-diphtheria toxin fragment that is a cell binding portion. Another aspect relates to the use of a modified diphtheria toxin for the treatment of a malignant disease or a non-malignant disease.

Abstract: Antigenic protein fragments of Streptococcus pneumoniae to be used for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention and the treatment of bacterial infections and a method for the detection thereof, and related compositions using said epitopes, are disclosed.

Abstract: Homologs of the E. coli proteins orf353, bacterial lg-like domain (group 1) protein (orf405), flu antigen 43 (orf1 364), NodT-family outer-membrane-factor-lipoprotein efflux transporter (orf1 767), gspK (orf3515), gspJ (orf3516), toriB-dependent siderophore receptor (orO597), fibrial protein (orf3613), upec-948, upec-1232. A chain precursor of the type-1 fimbria! protein (upec-1875), yapH homolog (upec-2820), hemolysin A (recp-3768), and Sel 1 repeat-containing protein (upec-521 1) from several pathogenic strains of E. coli have been identified with regions within the proteins that are conserved across all E. coli. Fragments corresponding to the conserved regions, especially immunogenic fragments such a linear B-epitopes, are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes), including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and treatment of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys infection.

Abstract: Detoxified variants of the pathogenic E. coli ‘AcfD precursor’ (orf3526) have been identified that raise a substantially similar immune response in a subject as the native AcfD (or B526) protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly identified open reading frames comprised within the genomic nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, wherein the open reading frames encode polypeptides that are surface localized on Streptococcus pneumoniae. Thus, the invention relates to Streptococcus pneumoniae open reading frames that encode polypeptide antigens, polypeptides, preferably antigenic polypeptides, encoded by the Streptococcus pneumoniae open reading frames, vectors comprising open reading frame sequences and cells or animals transformed with these vectors. The invention relates also to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides and kits for diagnosing Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. The invention finally relates to pharmaceutical compositions, in particular immunogenic compositions, for the prevention and/or treatment of bacterial infection, in particular infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective peptide of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) or a functionally active variant thereof; a composition comprising at least two of such peptides or variants; one or more nucleic acid(s) encoding such peptide or variant; a pharmaceutical composition comprising such peptide or variant, composition, or nucleic acid(s); a method of producing an antibody using such peptide or variant or composition; the use of such peptide or variant and/or composition and/or nucleic acid(s) for the manufacture of a medicament; a method of diagnosing a S. pneumoniae infection using such peptide or variant, composition or a primer and/or probe specific for the nucleic acid(s); a method for identifying a ligand capable of binding to such peptide or variant; and the use of such peptide or variant for the isolation, purification and/or identification of an interaction partner of the peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Neisseria ORF2086 proteins, crossreactive immunogenic proteins which can be isolated from nesserial strains or prepared recombinantly, including immunogenic portions thereof, biological equivalents thereof, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to the foregoing and nucleic acid sequences encoding each of the foregoing, as well as the use of same in immunogenic compositions that are effective against infection by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.

Abstract: Hyperimmune serum reactive antigens and fragments thereof are disclosed. In addition, methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof, including the treatment of S. epidermidis infections, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode an antigen, a vector which comprises such nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell comprising such vector. Furthermore, the invention provides antigens from a Klebsiella species, as well as fragments and variants thereof, a process for producing such antigens, and a process for producing a cell, which expresses such antigen. Moreover, the present invention provides antibodies binding to such antigen, a hybridoma cell producing such antibodies, methods for producing such antibodies, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody, the use of such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, methods for identifying an antagonist capable of binding such antigen or of reducing or inhibiting the interaction activity of such antigen, methods for diagnosing an infection and methods for the treatment or prevention of an infection.

Abstract: Two or more Neisserial proteins are joined such that they are translated as a single polypeptide chain. Hybrid proteins are represented by the formula NH2-A-[-X-L-]n-B—COOH where X is an amino acid sequence, L is an optional linker amino acid sequence, A is an optional N-terminal amino acid sequence, B is an optional C-terminal amino acid sequence, and n is an integer greater than 1. Proteins where each of the n -X- moieties shares sequence identity to each other -X- moiety, the protein is a ‘tandem protein’.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antigenic polypeptide referred to as DivlB and variants thereof, vaccines comprising said polypeptide and the use of the vaccine in protecting subjects from microbial infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ClfA polypeptides wherein amino acid Y474 or an amino acid adjacent to Y474 is mutated such that fibrinogen binding activity is decreased compared to an equivalent ClfA polypeptide without mutation of Y474 or an amino acid adjacent to Y474 as well as immunogenic compositions, vaccines, processes and uses of such mutated ClfA polypeptides.

Abstract: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major health concern, especially in very young, elderly, or immunocompromised patients. The present disclosure provides, inter alia, certain highly effective vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The antigens may be used therapeutically or prophylactically.

Abstract: A novel prophylactic/remedy for immunopathy is provided which is not neutralized by a neutralizing antibody to Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), known as one of superantigens, and may effectively act as a superantigen. A modified SEB having a reduced reactivity with a neutralizing antibody to SEB (anti-SEB antibody) and a prophylactic/remedy for immunopathy comprising as an active ingredient said modified SEB. The modified SEB of the present invention may be prepared with the evolutionary molecular engineering technique by introducing amino acid substitution in the amino acid sequence of SEB, especially at an epitope recognition site of the anti-SEB antibody in the amino acid sequence of SEB.