Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a bladder cancer in an animal or human comprising: administering to an animal or human patient a therapeutic composition comprising a first fusion protein capable of specifically binding to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of a cancer cell and comprising an epidermal growth factor (EGF) polypeptide conjugated to a bacterial toxin polypeptide and a second fusion protein comprising an anthrax Lethal Factor N-terminus (LFN) conjugated to a Diptheria Toxin A (DTA) catalytic domain.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for delivering antigens to the lymphatic system in doses that desensitize patients to future exposure to antigens have been developed. Rapid desensitization is achieved by introducing small quantities of antigen into the lymphatic system. In preferred embodiments, the compositions are administered to yield therapeutically effective levels of antigen within the lymph, where macrophages reside in the greatest concentration, by intradermal administration, using for example, microneedles or micro articles, oral administration, using for example, enteric coated capsules or tablets, or autologous transfusion. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions for delivering antigens orally achieve uptake by the Peyer's patches of the small intestines.

Abstract: The present invention regards use of a bacterial superantigen for administration onto the mucous membrane of a domestic non-human mammal for the prevention of inflammatory disorder, such as allergies, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A method of providing protection against pneumococcal infection in a subject is disclosed. The method includes steps of administering to the subject a composition that includes combination of three recombinant pneumococcal neuraminidases: NanA, NanB, and NanC of S. pneumoniae strains CGSP14, wherein administration of the recombinant pneumococcal neuraminidases elicits an immune response to S. pneumoniae, and treats the subject. In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of adding adjuvants to enhance the immune response. The method also includes a step of using passive antibodies, wherein said passive antibodies are anti-neuraminidase antibodies generated from neuraminidases-immunized humanized animals: NanA, NanB, and NanC. Meanwhile, this invention also provides a method for the molecular diagnosis of pneumococcal infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for use in modulating, including inhibiting the growth and/or reducing the virulence of gram-positive bacteria. The present invention provides methods and compositions for disrupting the cell wall and/or cell membrane in gram-positive bacteria such that cell wall or cell membrane target(s) are rendered exposed or accessible and sensitive to a modulation thereof. Methods for modulation of one or more gram-positive bacterial cell wall or cell membrane targets in a gram-positive bacteria are provided comprising disrupting the cell wall such that the cell wall or cell membrane target, which is particularly a sortase, is rendered exposed or accessible and sensitive to a modifying, modulating or binding agent, which is particularly an antibody or fragment thereof, wherein the cell wall or cell membrane target is inaccessible or relatively insensitive to the modifying, modulating or binding agent in the absence of cell wall disruption.

Abstract: The present invention provides adjuvant compositions that have improved stability, increased potency and which provide an enhanced Th1 response and wherein the compositions can be administered orally. The present invention also provides methods of making those compositions and administration of the improved adjuvant compositions.

Abstract: The present invention regards use of a bacterial superantigen for administration onto the mucous membrane of a domestic non-human mammal for the prevention of inflammatory disorder, such as allergies, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification, sequencing, and isolation of an A25 bacteriophage lysin gene that expresses a protein involved in the lysis of bacterial cells during the phage life cycle. The invention further relates to methods for lysing certain bacteria using lysin, which are useful for example in a diagnostic procedure designed to detect these bacteria.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified Streptococcus pneumonia pneumolysm (PLY) proteins which lack hemolytic activity and can be used as immunogens in an immunogenic composition or vaccine against invasive pneumococcol diseases caused by S. pneumonia The modified pneumolysm proteins comprise amino acid substitutions at threonine 65, glycine 293 and cysteine 428 Nucleic acids, polypeptides encoded thereby, compositions containing the same, methods for using such nucleic acids, polypeptides and compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkaline extract of shredded pinecones yields a polyphenylpropanoid polysaccharide complex (PPC) that functions as an orally active immune adjuvant. Specifically, the oral PPC boosts the number of antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cells generated in response to a variety of vaccine types (DNA, protein, and dendritic cell) and bias the response towards one that is predominately a T helper 1 type. The oral PPC has potential for use be to enhance the T cell response generated by a variety of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines designed to target a cellular response.

Abstract: A method for in vitro diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus producing Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), using a biological sample derived from an individual liable to be colonized by or infected with Staphylococcus aureus, wherein the diagnosis is carried out by detection of PVL using a routine immunological test, and the biological sample is pretreated in order to denature the PVL.

Abstract: The present application describes a process for conjugating a PNAG which is less than 40% N-acetylated to a carrier protein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and compositions useful in a vaccination strategy capable of neutralizing HIa to provide immunoprotection against S. aureus pneumonia. In certain aspects the invention includes a HIa with reduced toxicity, represented by a recombinant mutant form of HIa (HlaH35L) in which histidine 35 is converted to leucine, which can be used to abrogate the productive assembly of the toxin and protect a subject from staphylococcal pneumonia.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified Streptococcus pneumonia pneumolysm (PLY) proteins which lack hemolytic activity and can be used as immunogens in an immunogenic composition or vaccine against invasive pneumococcol diseases caused by S. pneumonia. The modified pneumolysm proteins comprise ammo acid substitutions at threonine 65, glycine 293 and cysteine 428 Nucleic acids, polypeptides encoded thereby, compositions containing the same, methods for using such nucleic acids, polypeptides and compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing and treating pneumococcal infections are provided. Compositions include novel polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence corresponding to the R2i or R22 domain of CbpA or a consensus sequence of one of these domains, and variants and fragments thereof, wherein the polypeptide is stabilized in a desired conformation, particularly a loop conformation. The polypeptides of the invention may be engineered to comprise a first and a second cysteine residue, thereby resulting in the formation of a disulfide bond that stabilizes the polypeptide in the desired conformation. Alternatively, a polypeptide of the invention may be modified to create a synthetic linkage between a first and second amino acid residue present within the polypeptide, wherein the synthetic linkage stabilizes the polypeptide in the desired conformation. The polypeptides of the invention may further comprise an amino acid sequence for a T cell epitope.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present application relates to immunogenic compositions comprising staphylococcal PNAG which is less than 40% N-acetylated and is conjugated to a carrier protein by a linker bonded to an amine group on PNAG to form a PNAG conjugate. Vaccines, methods of treatment using and processes to make an immunogenic composition comprising PNAG and Type 5 and/or 8 capsular polysaccharides are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a modified bacteriophage capable of infecting a target bacterium, which bacteriophage includes an ?/? small acid-soluble spore protein (SASP) gene encoding a SASP which is toxic to the target bacterium, wherein the SASP gene is under the control of a constitutive promoter which is foreign to the bacteriophage and the SASP gene.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating or preventing microbial infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detoxifying bacterial cytolysins such as pneumococcal pneumolysin, utilizing chemical cross-linking compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine composition against Streptococcus pyogenes infection comprising an amino acid sequence having C-terminal fragment of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B, and a pharmaceutical acceptable adjuvant.

Abstract: It refers to a recombinant alpha-hemolysin polypeptide of Staphylococcus aureus, comprising a deletion in the stem domain, wherein at least one heterologous sequence is inserted in a region selected from the group consisting of regions defined by amino acid position of 108 to 151, 1 to 5, 288 to 293, 43 to 48, 235 to 240, 92 to 97, 31 to 36,or 156 to 161 of SEQ ID NO: 1, with the proviso that, if the heterologous sequence contains five or more consecutive histidines the moiety of the heterologous sequence other than the moiety of five or more consecutive histidines has a minimum length of 11 amino acids; or a variant thereof comprising 1-50 amino acids added, substituted or deleted in SEQ ID NO. 1 and the activity to form oligomers and to bind to lipidic bilayers. It also provides a medicament and vaccine comprising said recombinant polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for biofilm detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an N-terminal cysteine-tagged Streptococcal protein G variant. Since the variant binds in a directional manner to a surface of a biochip or a biosensor, the variant provides a biochip and a biosensor having an improved antibody-immobilizing capability, compared with an untagged protein G variant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising one or more Streptococcus uberis sortase-anchored surface proteins, or an immunogenic part thereof, wherein the composition is capable of eliciting an immune response, when administered to a subject.

Abstract: Novel vaccines for use against ?-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection are disclosed. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of a variant of streptococcal C5a peptidase (SCP). Also disclosed is a method of protecting a susceptible mammal against ?-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection by administering such a vaccine. Enzymatically inactive SCP, and polynucleotides encoding these SCP proteins are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus in a subject. Therapeutic compositions of the present invention comprise leukocidin E and/or D proteins or polypeptides and anti-leukocidin E and/or D antibodies. The invention further relates to methods of identifying inhibitors of LukE/D cytotoxicity and inhibitors of LukE/D-leukocyte binding.

Abstract: The invention relates to the type 5 and type 8 capsular polysaccharides produced by overproducing S. aureus strains, and also to the immunogenic compositions and the vaccines comprising said capsular polysaccharides.

Abstract: Vaccine formulations effective against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are disclosed, as well as methods of using the vaccine formulations in the treatment, prevention and prophylaxis of Staphylococcus aureus infections in a subject.

Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides and formulations thereof. The peptides and/or formulations are effective to kill or to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of various bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

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: Group B streptococcus (GBS) proteins and polynucleotides encoding them are disclosed. Said proteins are antigenic and therefore useful vaccine components for the prophylaxis or therapy of streptococcus infection in animals. Also disclosed are recombinant methods of producing the protein antigens as well as diagnostic assays for detecting streptococcus bacterial infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically attenuated superantigen toxin vaccines altered such that superantigen attributes are absent, however the superantigen is effectively recognized and an appropriate immune response is produced. The attenuated superantigen toxins are shown to protect animals against challenge with wild type toxin. Methods of producing and using the altered superantigen toxins are described.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and methods for delivery systems of agents, including therapeutic compounds, pharmaceutical agents, drugs, detection agents, nucleic acid sequences and biological factors. In general, these vector compositions comprise a colloidal metal, derivatized PEG (polyethylene glycol) and an agent. The invention also comprises methods and compositions for making such colloidal metal compositions and for treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide having a biological activity of the Chemotaxis Inhibitory Protein of Staphylococcus aureus (‘CHIPS’), the polypeptide comprising a variant of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, the polypeptide is a CHIPS variant wherein one or more of the following amino acids is modified: N31, S32, G33, L34, P35, K40, D42, R46, Y48, K50, G52, T53, K54, N55, S56, A57, Q58, K61, E67, K69, L76, N77, P79, D83, L90, K92, K100, K101, S104, K105, S107, Y108, N111 and G112. In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide is less immunogenic hi humans than the wildtype CHIPS protein. The invention further provides methods of making and using such variant CHIPS polypeptides.

Abstract: The presence of tumor nodules in organs often results in serious clinical manifestations and the permeation by cancer cells of sheaths surrounding organs often produces clinical manifestations of pleural effusion, ascites or cerebral edema. The present invention addresses this problem by providing a method for treating minors comprising (a) intratumoral administration of a superantigen and/or (b) intrathecal or intracavitary administration of a superantigen directly into the sheath. Intratumoral superantigen results in significant and sustained reduction of the tumor size. Intrathecal administration produces significant sustained reduction of the fluid accumulation associated with clinical improvement and prolonged survival. Useful superantigen compositions for intrathecal and intratumoral injection include tumoricidally effective homologues, fragments and fusion proteins of native superantigens.

Abstract: The present invention provides MSCRAMM® proteins from S. aureus which are putative highly-expressed antigens from methicillin-resistant S. aureus, including communit-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), and these antigens can thus be utilized in methods of generating antibodies capable of binding these antigens which can be useful in methods of treating or preventing infection from MRSA. The present invention is directed to these proteins, antibodies capable of binding these proteins, methods of generating said antibodies, nucleic acids coding for said proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines which include the proteins or antibodies of the present invention in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier or excipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining if an individual is infected by a staphylococcus bacterium, comprising: determining if antibodies directed against at least 2 proteins comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO: 6, are present in a biological sample of the individual, and deducing therefrom that the individual is infected by a staphylococcus bacterium.

Abstract: Novel proteins from Streptococcus pneumoniae are described, together with nucleic acid sequences encoding them. Their use in vaccines and in screening methods is also described.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for treatment or prevention of infection by, or disease caused by infection with, certain species of bacteria, including in particular bacteria in which a RAP-type and/or TRAP-type molecule plays a role in pathogenesis. This includes Staphylococcus species.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising modified bacterial toxins and methods for using the modified bacterial toxins for targeting particular cell populations and for treating diseases.

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. Data are given to show that the proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics. The proteins are also targets for antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A modified Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) having resistance to a protease and a reduced toxicity and a vaccine comprising said modified SEB are provided. A modified SEB which has an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 wherein each of the lysine at 97-position and the lysine at 98-position are substituted with any other amino acid, or a derivative thereof and a vaccine comprising said modified SEB or a derivative thereof.

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: Group B streptococcus (GBS) proteins and polynucleotides encoding them are disclosed. Said proteins are antigenic and therefore useful vaccine components for the prophylaxis or therapy of streptococcus infection in animals. Also disclosed are recombinant methods of producing the protein antigens as well as diagnostic assays for detecting streptococcus bacterial infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating a human or other mammal infected with a parasitic microorganism by administering an effective amount in unit dosage form of a C8-C16-alpha, beta-unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde, such as trans-2-dodecenal, to the human or other mammal. The parasitic microorganisms may include trypanosomes, bacteria, fungi and nematodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and molecular biology, and particularly to a method for treating hematopoietic disorders. The invention provides a method to treat a deficiency of one or more types of blood cells in a mammal, which includes administering an effective amount of TISF or of a compound that stimulates CD4+ cells like TISF does. In one embodiment, TISF that originates from a mammalian species is administered to a mammalian subject diagnosed as having a deficiency in one or more types of blood cells.