Abstract: Disclosed are approaches to determining a sensitivity of a bacterium to a given antibiotic and generating targeted treatments based on the sensitivity. One or more antibiotics may be selected for a chronic/recurrent infection resulting from a biofilm so as to reduce dose and or length of course of antibiotic treatment. For example, if a bacterial pathogen is determined to be sensitive to an antibiotic in its planktonic form but resistant to that antibiotic in its biofilm form, then the biofilm may be dispersed or disrupted from the biofilm residence in order to clear the infection. In various embodiments, a dispersal or disruption method and/or agent may be determined based at least in part on a rate of bacterial release from a biofilm that sensitizes the pathogen to a chosen antibiotic.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, or 4, a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating skin disease including the peptide, a cosmetic composition for skin condition improvement including the peptide, a food composition for skin condition improvement including the peptide, a method of preventing or treating skin disease using the peptide, and a use of the peptide in preventing or treating skin disease or improving skin condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of modulating an immune system in a vertebrate host for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of infection by a first microbial pathogen in a target tissue, comprising administration at an administration site of an effective amount of an antigenic formulation comprising antigenic determinants specific for a second heterologous microbial pathogen.

Abstract: This invention describes novel adjuvant compositions and formulations with excellent stability at refrigerated and room temperatures and up to and about 37° C. that can be produced at remarkably low costs. This invention describes novel vaccine compositions and formulations to treat and prevent urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli. This invention also describes methods of administration of said novel vaccine compositions and formulations and methods of treatment to prevent and treat urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including E. coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a recombinant polypeptide constructs comprising enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbrial subunits. The recombinant polypeptide constructs comprise multiple subunits to the same or different ETEC fimbrial types. The constructs are useful for inclusion in immunogenic formulations for the induction of immunity against entertoxigenic Escherichia coli. The inventive subject matter also relates to the use of the recombinant polypeptide constructs in induce anti-enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli immunity.

Abstract: Provided are novel methods for expressing antigens in a vaccine vector strain, a live oral vaccine designed to prevent clostridium difficile-associated disease and methods for delivering antigens to the mucosal immune system of a subject.

Abstract: A method for increasing the presentation of ETEC CS6 antigen on cell surface, comprising the step of contacting cells expressing said antigen with an aqueous solution comprising 0.6-2.2 percent phenol by weight, such that the presentation of said antigen is increased by at least 100%. A method for the manufacture of a killed whole cell vaccine for immunization against CS6-expressing ETC. Cells and vaccines obtainable by the above methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for disease treatment and prevention through administration of a live attenuated composition. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infection by administration of a live attenuated compositions lacking O-antigen ligase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cholera toxin CTA1 protein fragments, adjuvant compositions, and methods relating to adjuvants for vaccines. The invention also relates to using recombinant CTA1 fragments conjugated to a polypeptide containing a protein transduction domain or cell-penetrating peptide as an immunomodulator.

Abstract: This invention describes novel adjuvant compositions and formulations with excellent stability at refrigerated and room temperatures and up to and about 37° C. that can be produced at remarkably low costs. This invention describes novel vaccine compositions and formulations to treat and prevent urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli. This invention also describes methods of administration of said novel vaccine compositions and formulations and methods of treatment to prevent and treat urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including E. coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system.

Abstract: This invention describes novel adjuvant compositions and formulations with excellent stability at refrigerated and room temperatures and up to and about 37° C. that can be produced at remarkably low costs. This invention describes novel vaccine compositions and formulations to treat and prevent urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli. This invention also describes methods of administration of said novel vaccine compositions and formulations and methods of treatment to prevent and treat urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including E. coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli.

Abstract: This invention describes novel adjuvant compositions and formulations with excellent stability at refrigerated and room temperatures and up to and about 37° C. that can be produced at remarkably low costs. This invention describes novel vaccine compositions and formulations to treat and prevent urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli. This invention also describes methods of administration of said novel vaccine compositions and formulations and methods of treatment to prevent and treat urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative bacteria including E. coli and multi-drug resistant E. coli.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating inflammation in a specific organ or tissue of an individual. The method involves determining whether the individual has previously been infected with at least one pathogen that is pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue; and administering to the individual an anti-inflammatory composition comprising antigenic determinants, the antigenic determinants selected or formulated so that together they are specific for the at least one pathogen. The pathogen may be an endogenous or exogenous pathogen, and may further be a bacterial pathogen, a viral pathogen, a fungal pathogen, a protozoan pathogen, or a helminth pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probiotic cell transformed with a construct suitable to overexpress and display on the surface of the probiotic cell a fusion protein comprising at least a portion of a transport protein coupled to at least a portion of one or more antigenic proteins or peptides. Probiotic-derived vesicles displaying this fusion protein as well as methods of inducing an immune response using the probiotic cells or vesicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition added to animal feed used in combination with a vaccine to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine. Amongst other effects, the composition raises the titer of antibodies to the vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides live, attenuated enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) bacteria in which the Shiga toxin coding sequences are deleted to abolish Shiga toxin production and one or more of the nucleotide sequences for the bacterial adhesin protein intimin, the locus of enterocyte effacement encoded regulator, and the translocated intimin receptor are mutated to inactivate the activity of the encoded protein(s). This live, attenuated E. coli bacteria is used in a vaccine for reducing or inhibiting carriage and shedding of EHEC in cattle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising physiologically stressed Arthrospira maxima for use as a biocide and/or therapeutic. The invention also concerns a method for preventing or treating an infection or infestation of a subject by an organism, wherein the method comprises the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising physiologically stressed Arthrospira.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides, vectors and vaccines comprising such oligodeoxynucleotides, to their use as a medicament, to their use in preventing or combating infectious disease, to methods for the detection of such oligodeoxynucleotides and to cells to be used in these methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides, vectors and vaccines comprising such oligodeoxynucleotides, to their use as a medicament, to their use in preventing or combating infectious disease and to methods for the detection of such oligodeoxynucleotides.

Abstract: The disclosure features vaccine adjuvants comprising prokaryotic mRNA, and methods of vaccination using the adjuvants. More specifically, the disclosure provides a vaccine composition comprising a nonviable immunogen (e.g., heat-killed bacterium), a tumor antigen, or an immunogenic peptide of microbial or mammalian origin, and an adjuvant, wherein adjuvant comprises prokaryotic mRNA (e.g., bacterial mRNA), as well as the methods of using the vaccine compositions. Further disclosed are the structural features of the prokaryotic mRNA used as the adjuvants.

Abstract: A method for increasing the presentation of ETEC CS6 antigen on cell surface, comprising the step of contacting cells expressing said antigen with an aqueous solution comprising 0.6-2.2 percent phenol by weight, such that the presentation of said antigen is increased by at least 100%. A method for the manufacture of a killed whole cell vaccine for immunization against CS6-expressing ETEC. Cells and vaccines obtainable by the above methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various open reading frames from a strain of E. coli responsible for neonatal meningitis (MNEC), and a subset of these that is of particular interest for preparing compositions for immunising against MNEC infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for disease treatment and prevention through administration of a live attenuated composition. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infection by administration of a live attenuated compositions lacking O-antigen ligase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of coating a spore with one or more therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to a coated spore obtained by the method of the present invention and the use of the coated spore as a vaccine.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response against a secreted enterohemorragic Escherichia coli (EHEC) antigen are disclosed. The compositions comprise EHEC cell culture supernatants.

Abstract: This invention relates to adjuvant formulations comprising various combinations of triterpenoids, sterols, immunomodulators, polymers, and Th2 stimulators; methods for making the adjuvant compositions; and the use of the adjuvant formulations in immunogenic and vaccine compositions with different antigens. This invention further relates to the use of the formulations in the treatment of animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates a combination for use in the treatment and/or prevention of mastitis containing i) an agonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody or a CD40 ligand or a vector coding for the anti-CD40 antibody or a vector coding for the CD40L; and ii) inactivated or attenuated bacteria selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Listeria or Escherichia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions for modulating the immune system, comprising a therapeutically effective quantity of two or more immuno-active antigenic agents with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and/or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients, diluents or solvents. The immunogenic compositions according to the present invention are used for producing medicaments for preventing and/or treating, and for preventing and/or treating infectious diseases, auto-immune diseases, allergic diseases, inflammation, arthritis, inflammatory diseases, transplant rejection, affections caused by vascular disorders, diseases caused by haemorrhagic or ischaemic cardiovascular accidents, ischaemia, heart attack and haemorrhagia leading to tissue destruction, heart, kidney, respiratory or liver insufficiency, cancer, malign and benign tumours and neoplasia.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions for delivering one or more active ingredients, and more particularly to compositions, e.g. beads, comprising a matrix material which matrix material comprises a microorganism. In particular, the invention relates to compositions comprising a microorganism selected from live, killed, attenuated and inactivated microorganisms. The matrix material may also comprise a surfactant and may further comprise an adjuvant. The invention further relates to the manufacture and use of such compositions, and to other subject matter.

Abstract: The invention provides in part methods of treating cancers of a specific organ or tissue by administering a composition that is antigenically specific for one or more microbes that are pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue in which the cancer is situated. The formulations of the invention thereby facilitate activation of an immune response to a cancer in a particular tissue or organ. The compositions may for example include killed or attenuated microbial pathogens, such as whole killed bacterial cells, and may be administered at sites distant from the cancer, for example the skin. In some embodiments, microbial species of endogenous flora that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions. In alternative embodiments, exogenous microbial pathogens that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides in part methods for treating cancers of a specific organ or tissue by administering a composition that is antigenically specific for one or more microbes that are pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue in which the cancer is situated. The compositions may for example include killed or attenuated microbial pathogens, such as whole killed bacterial cells, and may be administered at sites distant from the cancer, for example the skin. In selected embodiments, the invention provides methods for treating a cancer situated in the colon, using formulations of E. coli cells. The administration of the immunogenic compositions may be repeated relatively frequently over a relatively long period of time. In embodiments for intradermal or subcutaneous injection, dosages may be adjusted so that injections reproduce a consistent, visible, inflammatory immune reaction at the site of administration.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing vaccines, including methods wherein whole organism vaccines are provided with limited replication abilities, thereby increasing vaccine safety and efficacy, through the use of non-natural, unnatural, or non-naturally encoded amino acids.

Abstract: An intraorally administrable vaccine composition useful to be a preventive or therapeutic agent for infectious diseases, and effectively induces a systemic immune response or a mucosal immune response is provided. A vaccine composition for administration to the oral cavity of a human or an animal, the vaccine composition containing at least one antigen derived from an infectious disease, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist, a toll-like receptor 2/6 (TLR2/6) agonist, and cyclic dinucleotide, or a derivative or salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for vaccinating a mammal to produce an antibody against Enterobacteriaceae infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, or E. coli in central nervous system and/or peripheral blood circulation, which comprises administering an effective amount of an OmpK36/homologues or its derivatives to the mammal.

Abstract: The invention provides in part methods of treating cancers of a specific organ or tissue by administering a composition that is antigenically specific for one or more microbes that are pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue in which the cancer is situated. The formulations of the invention thereby facilitate activation of an immune response to a cancer in a particular tissue or organ. The compositions may for example include killed or attenuated microbial pathogens, such as whole killed bacterial cells, and may be administered at sites distant from the cancer, for example the skin. In some embodiments, microbial species of endogenous flora that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions. In alternative embodiments, exogenous microbial pathogens that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating inflammation in a specific organ or tissue of an individual. The method involves determining whether the individual has previously been infected with at least one pathogen that is pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue; and administering to the individual an anti-inflammatory composition comprising antigenic determinants, the antigenic determinants selected or formulated so that together they are specific for the at least one pathogen. The pathogen may be an endogenous or exogenous pathogen, and may further be a bacterial pathogen, a viral pathogen, a fungal pathogen, a protozoan pathogen, or a helminth pathogen.

Abstract: Bacteria with improved survival under toxic and oxidative stress and methods of using the same for bioremediation are described. Many bacteria such as Escherichia coli have been found to naturally reduce toxic pollutants into a less toxic form, such as by reducing Chromium (VI) to Chromium (III). Reducing such toxins generates damaging reactive oxygen species, so it is important to find a defense for these bacteria against the associated oxidative stress. Trehalose is a small biomolecule that has been shown to protect bacteria from various types of stress by accumulating within the cells. The present invention is directed to bacteria genetically modified to overexpress trehalose biosynthesis genes. The bacteria demonstrate improved viability when challenged with toxins and oxidative stress. The present invention provides inexpensive and beneficial bacteria and methods for environmental remediation.

Abstract: Variants of the pathogenic E. coli ‘AcfD precursor’ have been identified with increased solubility as compared to the native AcfD protein that raise a substantially similar immune response in a subject as the native AcfD protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the treatment of chronic diseases associated with the presence of abnormal or an abnormal distribution of microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of a mammalian host, which compositions comprise viable non-pathogenic or attenuated pathogenic Clostridia. The compositions further comprise one or more additional viable non-pathogenic or attenuated pathogenic microorganisms selected from the group consisting of Bacteroides, Eubacteria, Fusobacteria, Propionibacteria, Lactobacilli, anaerobic cocci, Ruminococcus, E.Coli, Gemmiger, Desullomonas, Peptostreptococcus, and fungi. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the treatment of the same chronic diseases comprising viable non-pathogenic or attenuated pathogenic Escherichia coli, at least one strain of viable non-pathogenic or attenuated pathoenic Bacteroides and at least one strain of viable non-pathogenic or attenuated pathogenic microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for protecting newborn calves against neonatal diarrhea by vaccinating pregnant cows and/or pregnant heifers, while minimizing the number of separate occasions producers are required to assemble the cattle.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of a mutant form of EtxB or CtxB to deliver an agent to a target cell wherein the mutant has GM-1 binding activity; but wherein the mutant has a reduced immunogenic and immunomodulatory activity relative to the wild type form of EtxB or CtxB.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides and porins from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for production of gram-negative bacterial mutants that are defective in intestinal colonization capacity and sensitive to infection by bacteriophage P1. Thus the present invention provides immunogenic compositions for the prevention or attenuation of food- and water-borne illnesses associated with ingestion of bacteria such as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment and/or prevention of bacterial infection caused by Enterobacteriaceae bacteria in central nervous system and/or peripheral blood circulation in a mammal by administering effective amount of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) or its derivatives to a mammal. Also provided are a method for vaccinating a mammal to produce an antibody against bacterial infection caused by Enterobacteriaceae family in central nervous system and/or peripheral blood circulation and a method of detecting or diagnosing bacterial infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae family in central nervous system and/or peripheral blood circulation in a mammal. An antibody and a kit on the basis of the vaccinating method and detecting/diagnosing method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel mechanism of adhesion by flagellated Gram-negative bacteria such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), where the bacteria secretes a protein, EtpA which binds to the conserved region of the flagellin protein located at the tip of the flagella. The present invention also discloses that EtpA-mediated interaction and intestinal colonization require interaction with flagellin. Also disclosed herein is a vaccine composition that can be used for either active or passive immunization of mammals for the prevention or treatment of infections caused by flagellated Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides strains of bacteria, especially enterotoxigenic E. coli, attenuated by mutations in the genes encoding enterotoxins (LT, ST, EAST1) and optionally further attenuated by deletion of additional chromosomal genes. In addition the invention provides strains of attenuated bacteria expressing immunogenic but non-toxic variants of one or more of these enterotoxins. These bacteria are useful as a vaccine against diarrhoeal disease.

Abstract: Methods for making and using therapeutic formulations of Proteosome-based immunoactive compositions are provided. The immunogenic compositions, which include Proteosomes and liposaccharides, may be used to elicit or enhance a nonspecific innate immune response to, for example, treat or prevent infectious disease. In addition, after activating the innate immune system, immunogenic compositions further containing an antigen may be used to elicit a specific adaptive immune response. Furthermore, provided are compositions capable of altering hyperreactive responses or inflammatory immune responses, such as allergic reactions. Such compositions may be used as a prophylactic, or in various clinical settings to treat or prevent infectious disease (such as parasite, fungal, bacterial or viral infections), or to alter inappropriate inflammatory immune responses (such as allergic reactions or asthma).

Abstract: The invention provides methods of formulating an anti-inflammatory composition for treating inflammatory conditions in a specific organ or tissue. The method involves selecting at least one pathogen that is pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue; producing an antigenic composition comprising antigenic determinants that together are specific for the pathogen; and formulating the antigenic composition for administration as an anti-inflammatory composition capable of eliciting an anti-inflammatory response in the specific organ or tissue. In embodiments of the invention the pathogen may be an endogenous pathogen, such as an endogenous bacterial pathogen. The pathogen may be an exogenous pathogen, such as a bacterial pathogen, viral pathogen, a fungal pathogen, or a helminth pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions.