Abstract: It has been discovered that a vaccine comprised of fimbrin, a filamentous protein derived from the bacterial surface appendages of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae is useful in studying, preventing or reducing the severity of, otitis media. The gene sequence of the DNA coding for fimbrin and the amino acid sequence of fimbrin have also been determined. Vectors containing DNA coding for fimbrin have also been developed, and transformants have been prepared which contain such vectors and which express such DNA and provide a source of pure fimbrin.

Abstract: A novel peptide obtained from Haemophilus paragallinarum has been found useful for preventing avian infectious coryza. This polypeptide induces production of hemagglutination-inhibition antibody and prevents infection and onset of avian infectious coryza. The invention further provides a gene coding for the polypeptide, a recombinant vector for expression of this gene, a host transformed with this vector, a process for preparing the polypeptide in a host, a vaccine for avian infectious coryza comprising the polypeptide as an active ingredient, a monoclonal antibody obtained using the polypeptide as an immunogen, and a diagnostic agent and a therapeutic agent for avian infectious coryza using the peptide and the antibody.

Abstract: Essential bacteria genes and a method for identifying ‘essential genes’ (i.e., genes which are essential to a bacterium's survival) using an in vitro transposition system, a small (975 bp) insertional element containing an antibiotic resistance cassette and mapping these inserts relative to the deduced open reading frames of H. influenzae by PCR and Southern analysis.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of genes encoding H. somnus transferrin-binding proteins are described. The transferrin-binding proteins can be used in vaccine compositions for the prevention and treatment of H. somnus infections, as well as in diagnostic methods for determining the presence of H. somnus infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine formulation for the prevention of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) infections and where the antigen is adsorbed onto aluminium phosphate. The invention also relates to a multivalent vaccines, that is a vaccine for the amelioration or treatment of more than one disease states. The present invention also relates to the production and use of such vaccines in medicine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an H. influenzae type b polysaccharide-meningococcal outer membrane protein conjugate, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and the use thereof to induce an immune response to H. influenzae in an animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an H. influenzae type b polysaccharide-meningococcal outer membrane protein conjugate, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and the use thereof to induce an immune response to H. influenzae in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides which induce an immunogenic response in animals to non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and that do not require tedious purification techniques. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides reduce the severity of otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae. The synthetic chimeric fimbrin peptides are synthesized using commercially available peptide synthesizers. The first peptide subunit is comprised of the amino acids of Sequence ID No. 1 or Sequence ID No. 2. The second peptide unit is a t cell epitope, and preferably has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3. The third peptide unit is a linker peptide unit which joins the first and second peptide unit. The linking sequence preferably has from about 2 to about 15 amino acids, more preferably from about 2 to about 10 amino acids, most preferably from about 5 to about 6 amino acids.

Abstract: Protective high molecular weight (HMW) proteins are produced recombinantly by expression from E. coli by using a promoter effective in E. coli and a nucleic acid molecule which contains a modified operon of a non-typeable strain of Haemophilus. The modified operon contains the portion only of the A region which encodes the mature HMW protein and the complete B and C regions of the operon. Enhanced levels of expression of the HMW proteins can be achieved by including the E. coli cer gene, a further copy of the portion of the A region of the operon encoding the mature protein or both in the expression vector. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the hmw1 and hmw2 genes and HMW1 and HMW2 proteins, respectively of several non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae strain have been identified.

Abstract: A live vaccine of recombinant mutants of a member of the family Pasteurellaceae lacking a rib gene necessary for production of riboflavin as well as a method of vaccination therewith is described. The vaccine is effective against members of the family Pasteurellaceae.

Abstract: Bacterial polysaccharides which are used to produced vaccines are isolated then precipitated with a long chain detergent. The precipitated polysaccharides are soluble in organic solvents and can be further derivatized and processed to form the vaccine.

Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: A multi-valent immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by both Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Such composition comprises at least four antigens comprising at least one antigen from Haemophilus influenzae, and at least one antigen from Moraxella catarrhalis. Three of the antigens are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus and a 200 kDa outer membrane protein of Moraxella catarrhalis comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The multi-valent immunogenic composition may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may also include non-virulent poliovirus and PRP-T, to provide a component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of genes encoding H. somnus transferrin-binding proteins are described. The transferrin-binding proteins can be used in vaccine compositions for the prevention and treatment of H. somnus infections, as well as in diagnostic methods for determining the presence of H. somnus infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine formulation for the prevention of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) infections and where the antigen is adsorbed onto aluminium phosphate. The invention also relates to a multivalent vaccine, that is a vaccine for the amelioration or treatment of more than one disease states. The present invention also relates to the production and use of such vaccines in medicine.

Abstract: A method for improving the immune response of an animal to a vaccine, comprising: feeding an animal a diet of contamination-resistant feed, and treating said animal with an anti-viral or anti-bacterial vaccine.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for removing toxic lipooligosaccharide (LOS) from outer membranes of Gram-negative cocci, such as Neisseria meningitidis. LOS-depleted outer membranes and LOS-depleted soluble outer membrane proteins can be prepared, which are able to elicit bactericidal antibodies against homologous strains of bacteria. Vaccines and other uses of the preparations are further described.

Abstract: A multi-component immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Such composition comprises at least three different antigens of Haemophilus influenzae, two of which are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The Haemophilus vaccine may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may contain inactivated poliovirus, including type 1, type 2 and/or type 3, and/or a conjugate of a capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae and tetanus or diphtheria toxoid, including PRP-T, to provide a multi-valent component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: A cellfree extract of Haemophilus parasuis that exhibits toxic activity is described. The cellfree extract is useful as a vaccine or diagnostic reagent.

Abstract: Recombinant production of Hia protein, in full-length and N-terminally truncated forms, of non-typeable strains of Haemophilus influenzae, is described. The nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences of Hia genes of various strains of non-typeable and type c Haemophilus influenzae also are described.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions are disclosed which comprise at least one antigen formed by the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b or high molecular weight polyribosylribitol phosphate coupled to tetanus anatoxin.

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: A method for producing a conjugate vaccine includes mixing a uronium salt reagent with a first moiety (e.g., a polysaccharide). According to the invention, the uronium salt reagent has a chemical structure corresponding to formula I: wherein R1 is defined as wherein R6 represents the carbon, hydrogen, and optionally one or more heteroatoms which, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, constitute a 5 to 10 membered heterocyclic ring, which may be substituted or unsubstituted. R2, R3, R4, and R5, each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkynyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Alternatively, R2 and R3, when taken together, can represent the carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, or oxygen atoms necessary to complete a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions for modulating an immune response to an antigen administered to a host comprise a mineral salt adjuvant and at least one other adjuvant. The compositions provide an adjuvanting effect on an antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable by one of the adjuvants alone. An antigen is covalently bonded to a glycolipid analog to provide a discrete molecule which exhibits an enhanced adjuvanting effect on the antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable in the absence of such covalent bonding.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel method for the use of vaccines to be used in the treatment and/or prevention of Navicular Disease in horses. The method comprises administration of a preparation of Haemophilus somnus (H. somnus) and/or Haemophilus ovis (H. ovis) or a combination of H. somnus and H. ovis antigen, by intramuscular injection. Vaccination with antigens specific to these bacilli will prevent onset of Navicular Disease and will prevent further degeneration of the Navicular bone and bursa in animals afflicted with the disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the accurate and precise direct molar-mass measurement of low-molar-mass fragments of polysaccharides such as Haemophilus influenzae Type b. The methods for obtaining such determinations for polysaccharides use size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with detection by multi-angle laser-light-scattering photometry (MALLS) and differential refractometry (RI) and/or (2) determination of polysaccharide fragments and direct measurement of average chain length by quantitative 1H NMR, from which molar masses may be derived. Variation between the molar masses obtained by the two methods ranged from 5 to 7%.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid from specific strains of Haemophilus influenzae is provided which encodes at least a portion of the D15 outer membrane protein of Haemophilus. The nucleic acid is used to produce peptides, polypeptides and proteins free of contaminant associated with Haemophilus for purposes of diagnosis and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid may be used in the diagnosis of Haemophilus infection. Antisera obtained following immunization with the nucleic acid D15 outer membrane protein or peptides also may be used for the purpose of diagnosis and medical treatment.

Abstract: Rapid methods and means for hybridizing DNA, RNA and analogs thereof are provided. Hybridization occurs on a partition assembly through which nucleobase-containing sequences are driven by a force, such as centrifugal force, electrophoretic force, gravitational force vacuum force and/or pressure. The unbound sequences hybridize with complementary sequences bound to the partition assembly. The force applied to drive the sequences through the partition assembly increases the rate of hybridization by increasing the rate of collisions between complementary sequences.

Abstract: A novel antigenic protein derived from the outer membrane of H. influenzae is provided. DNA sequences encoding such a protein are also provided as are vaccines comprising the protein and methods of immunizing a subject against H. influenzae infection. The invention also includes methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of respiratory tract infections or otitis media, as well as methods for the detection of H. influenzae, and kits for use in such methods.

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

Abstract: Haemophilus adhesion and penetration proteins, nucleic acids, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are provided.

Abstract: A novel antigenic protein derived from the outer membrane of H. influenzae is provided. DNA sequences encoding such a protein are also provided as are vaccines comprising the protein and methods of immunizing a subject against H. influenzae infection. The invention also includes methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of respiratory tract infections or otitis media, as well as methods for the detection of H. influenzae, and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: A protein from H. influenzae designated NucA is isolated and purified. The NucA protein has the amino acid sequence of amino acids 26-603 of SEQ ID NO.2 or a biologically equivalent amino acid sequence thereof. Amino acids 1-25 of SEQ ID NO.2 are the signal peptide, which is cleaved during processing of the mature protein. The NucA protein has a molecular weight of approximately 63,000 Daltons as measured on a 12% SDS-PAGE gel and possesses 5′-nucleotidase activity. The NucA protein is obtained by isolation and purification from the H. influenzae organism, by chemical synthesis or by recombinant expression by an isolated and purified nucA DNA sequence which encodes the NucA protein. Such a DNA sequence hybridizes under standard high stringency Southern hybridization conditions with a DNA sequence encoding the NucA protein of H. influenzae having the amino acid sequence of amino acids 26-603 of SEQ ID NO.2 or a biologically equivalent amino acid sequence thereof.

Abstract: An adhesin protein which binds specifically to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), gangliotriaosylceramide (Gg3) and gangliotetraosylceramide (Gg4) has been isolated and purified from H. influenzae. Also provided are immunogenic compositions and methods of protecting susceptible mammals from diseases caused by bacterial pathogens having the adhesin as a surface protein.

Abstract: High molecular weight surface proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae which exhibit immunogenic properties and genes encoding the same are described. Specifically, genes coding for two immudominant high molecular weight proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, have been cloned, expressed and sequenced, while genes coding for high molecular proteins HMW3 and HMW4 have been cloned, expressed and partially sequenced.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel Haemophilus adhesion proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies.

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: The present invention relates to P5 outer membrane protein of the non-typable Haemophilus influenzae bacterial strain and antibodies directed to P5 protein. The invention also relates to a method of isolating P5 protein and a vaccine composition for use in the treatment of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae infection.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies directed against a novel outer membrane protein (OMP) of Haemophilus influenzae have been isolated and characterized. The gene encoding of the outer membrane protein has also been isolated and characterized. Portions of the DNA sequence of the 15 kD OMP gene are useful as probes to diagnose the presence of Haemophilus influenzae in samples. These DNA's also make available polypeptide sequences of immunoreactive epitopes encoded within the gene, thus permitting the production of polypeptides which are useful as standards or reagents in diagnostic tests and/or as components of vaccines. Monoclonal antibodies directed against epitopes of the 15 kD OMP are also useful for diagnostic tests and as therapeutic agents for passive immunization.