Abstract: Immunological compositions and methods for making and using them. The compositions contain an antigen and a lipoprotein and optionally an adjuvant. The lipoprotein can itself be antigenic or immurogenic. The antigen can be influenza HA and the lipoprotein a recombinantly expressed product having an OspA leader for lipidation and PspA for the protein portion. The antigen can be OspC and the lipoprotein OspA. The components of the composition are co-administered. A potentiated immunological response is obtained by the compositions and methods.

Abstract: A combined vaccine for bacterial meningitis comprises Hib and MenC oligosaccharide conjugates.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of stimulating in a subject an immune response to an antigen to which the immune response is targeted. This method includes the step of administering to the subject a binding agent which binds a surface receptor of an antigen-presenting cell, in some instances without being blocked substantially by the natural ligand for the surface receptor, and an antigen to which the immune response is targeted, in a physiologically acceptable medium to the subject. Also disclosed are molecular complexes including the binding agent coupled to an antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides gidA1 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding gidA1 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing gidA1 polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: A method of immunizing against disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is provided in which children are immunized at age 2 and again at age 4 months with a conjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. These immunizations are followed by an immunization at 6 months with an unconjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Optionally, a fourth immunization at 12 months with unconjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is given.

Abstract: Antibodies that bind Mycobacterium tuberculosis 28 kDa proteins and immune complexes between the antibodies and proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides Response Regulator and Histidine Kinase polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypetides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing such polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: Novel response regulator polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polynucleotides and polypeptides for the treatment of infection, particularly bacterial infections. Antagonists against such the polypeptides of the invention and their use as a therapeutic to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to the presence the nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides of the invention in a host. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting polynucleotides encoding response regulators and for detecting the polypeptide in a host.

Abstract: A method to reduce the physiologic effects of drugs in vivo by inducing specific anti-drug antibodies using drugs conjugated to carrier molecules so as to reduce a drug's toxicity and its physiologic effects upon the recipient. This method includes the treatment and prophylactic prevention of drug abuse, specifically for cocaine and nicotine, and to help reduce the toxic effects of drugs, such as anti-neoplastics.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention and diagnosis of Lyme disease. OspA and OspB polypeptides and serotypic variants thereof, which elicit in a treated animal the formation of an immune response which is effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with B. burgdorferi. Anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are effective to treat or protect against Lyme disease as caused by infection with B. burgdorferi. A screening method for the selection of those OspA and OspB polypeptides and anti-OspA and anti-OspB antibodies that are useful for the prevention and detection of Lyre disease. Diagnostic kits including OspA and OspB polypeptides or antibodies directed against such polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the isolation, diagnosis and treatment of microorganisms such as flaviviruses and other hemorrhagic fever viruses are based on the sulfated polyanion-dependent interaction of flaviviruses and hemorrhagic fever viruses, in particular dengue virus, with target cells. The cellular receptors targeted by these viruses have been identified as sulfated polyanionic glycoproteins, that include highly sulfated heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans for some target cell types, and as a sulfated mucin on vascular endothelium. Compounds such as heparin, highly sulfated heparan sulfate, and synthetic polyanions such as Suramin, inhibit the interaction between the microorganisms and target cells, thereby disrupting the infective process.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining surface expression of a desired protein or polypeptide in Gram-positive host organisms are provided. In addition, vectors useful in such methods as well as Gram-positive host organisms transformed with such vectors are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response and the prevention and treatment of primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases and infectious diseases. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a complex, in which the complex consists essentially of a heat shock protein (hsp) noncovalently bound to an antigenic molecule. “Antigenic molecule” as used herein refers to the peptides with which the hsps are endogenously associated in vivo as well as exogenous antigens/immunogens (i.e., with which the hsps are not complexed in vivo) or antigenic/immunogenic fragments and derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the complex is autologous to the individual. The effective amounts of the complex are in the range of 10-600 micrograms for complexes comprising hsp70, 50-1000 micrograms for hsp90, and 10-600 micrograms for gp96.

Abstract: Immunogenic conjugate molecules comprising at least a portion of a capsular polysaccharide of a Streptococcus strain linked to at least a portion of an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus strain are provided in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is increased. Particularly capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae are linked to an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus influenzae strain, which protein may be the P1, P2 or particularly the P6 outer membrane protein. Conjugate molecules comprising the P6 protein linked to a capsular polysaccharide from an encapsulated pathogen other than Streptococcus also are described, in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is enhanced. Such conjugate molecules may be incorporated into immunogenic compositions for protecting a host against disease caused by the Streptococcus strain and preferably also the Haemophilus strain.

Abstract: Conjugates between one or more repeated subunits of an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer are desired. Also described are immunogenic vaccines against disease states which contain the conjugates and methods for inducing cell-mediated immune responses. The conjugates may especially contain polymers of the carbohydrate mannose and one or more repeated subunits of human mucin.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions comprising an oligosaccharide of S. pneumoniae serotype 8 useful for stimulating an immune response to an antigen, methods of providing protective immunization against a bacterial pathogen using these compositions, methods of augmenting an immunogenic response to an antigen by administering these S. pneumoniae serotype 8 oligosaccharide compositions along with the antigen, and methods of making the immunostimulatory compositions described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a population of non-covalent heat shock protein 70-peptide complexes purified from mammalian tumor tissues or mammalian cells infected with an infectious agent. When administered to a mammal, the compositions are capable of eliciting an immune response. The compositions are also useful for treatment of cancer and infectious diseases in animals.