Abstract: To provide a reagent for assaying anti-Treponema pallidum antibody which reagent contains a polypeptide antigen and which reagent provides high assay sensitivity and high specificity, and to provide an assay method employing the assay reagent. The reagent for assaying anti-Treponema pallidum antibody, for use in an assay of anti-Treponema pallidum antibody on the basis of antigen-antibody reaction is characterized in that the reagent contains, as an antigen, a recombinant polypeptide containing at least domain C and domain D of Treponema pallidum 47 kDa antigen but containing no domain A1 of the 47 kDa antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteins and/or fragments and derivatives thereof and their use as vaccines and in biotechnological methods. The vaccines particularly include immunogenic proteins in Treponema spp. isolated from digital dermatitis in cattle. The present invention further relates to antibodies raised against said proteins or fragments thereof, and the use of said proteins in diagnostic methods in which antibodies are detected as a sign of digital dermatitis in cattle.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotide and amino acids of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae are described. These sequences are useful for diagnosis of B. hyodysenteriae disease in animals and as a therapeutic treatment or prophylactic treatment of B. hyodysenteriae disease in animals. These sequences may also be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases in animals caused by other Brachyspira species.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and its derivatives, i.e. its salts and complexes for prevention and treatment of bacterial intestinal diseases of pigs and for increasing the effects of antibiotics exerted in such diseases. The invention also relates to compositions for animal husbandry, i.e. to veterinary compositions and to feeds and drinks which can be consumed by pigs, comprising EDTA or its derivatives.

Abstract: The development of a diagnostic, therapeutic and making and administering a vaccine against ungulate diseases which involves spirochete bacteria in particular, Treponemes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed in particular to dipeptide-like compounds derived from functionally substituted amino acids, having fatty acid chains bound thereto through amidification of the amine functional groups of said dipeptide-like compounds, one end portion of which bears an accessory functional side chain spacer, with the other end portion being an acid group either in neutral or charged state. Compounds of the present invention have immunomodulating properties like adjuvants, In addition, compounds of the invention can be grafted on a given antigen in order to modulate or tune the immune response or can be equally grafted on a pharmaceutical carrier to enhance the therapeutic effect or targeting thereof. Accordingly, compounds of the invention find use in human and veterinary medicine both as immunogens and diagnostic tools.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and devices for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies and the diagnosis of disease, for example, syphilis, are described. In particular, a method for immobilizing a lipoidal antigen, comprising cardiolipin, lecithin, and cholesterol, on a solid support (such as a nitrocellulose membrane) is described. The ability to immobilize a lipoidal antigen on a membrane satisfies a long-felt need for a membrane-based assay for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies. Also described are immunoassay devices for concurrently performing treponemal and non-treponemal tests for syphilis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cellular vaccine for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a pathological condition, the vaccine comprising or consisting of a population of CD 4+ T cells modified such that they contain an antigenic component, and/or a nucleic acid molecule encoding an antigenic component thereof, wherein the T cells are (a) activated, or capable of being activated, and (b) apoptotic, or capable or being made apoptotic. The invention further provides an adjuvant composition for use in a method of vaccination, the composition comprising or consisting of a population of T cells, wherein the T cells are (a) activated, or capable of being activated, and (b) apoptotic, or capable or being made apoptotic.

Abstract: Disclosed are dosage forms and related methods, that include a first population of synthetic nanocarriers that have one or more first antigens coupled to them, one or more second antigens that are not coupled to the synthetic nanocarriers, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Abstract: Methods for the specific and highly sensitive detection of Treponema pallidum infection comprising the use of specific antigenic proteins and peptides unique to Treponema pallidum are provided. In particular, detection assays based on recognition of acidic repeat protein are provided. The methods of the present invention are useful for detection of primary syphilis at early stages of infection. In addition, the methods and compositions disclosed herein are directed to the differential detection of specific Treponema infections enabling the identification of causative agents for specific Treponema disease states: syphilis (Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum), yaws (Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue CDC-1 or CDC-2 strain), and bejel (Treponema pallidum subspecies endemicum).

Abstract: Methods for the specific and highly sensitive detection of Treponema pallidum infection comprising the use of specific antigenic proteins and peptides unique to Treponema pallidum are provided. In particular, detection assays based recognition of acidic repeat protein are provided. The methods of the present invention are useful for detection of primary syphilis at early stages of infection. In addition, the methods and compositions disclosed herein are directed to the differential detection of specific Treponema infections enabling the identification of causative agents for specific Treponema disease states: syphilis (Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum), yaws (Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue CDC-1 or CDC-2 strain), and bejel (Treponema pallidum subspecies endemicum).

Abstract: A novel approach to Borrelia vaccine formulation taking into account serological, genotypic and epidemiological information by which OspC proteins from different strains of B. burgdorferi are grouped together. OspC antigens are chosen in order to constitute a representative sample of such groupings, so that the resulting vaccine provides the greatest cross-protectivity with the fewest number of antigens.

Abstract: An antigen composition and method for the detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum and the diagnosis of syphilis are described. The antigen composition contains synthetic cardiolipin and synthetic lecithin. The antigen composition may additionally contain cholesterol and an alcohol. The antigen composition is useful as an immunoreagent in immunoassays for the detection of antibodies associated with T. pallidum infection. The methods are sensitive and specific for T. pallidum infection.

Abstract: Strains of Lactobacilli having the ability to reduce or block pro-inflammatory cytokines and also to induce anti-inflammatory cytokines are disclosed. These strains may be used to prepare therapeutic agents that reduce inflammation. Lactobacillus secreted proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are also disclosed. The Lactobacillus secretions, which block translocation of bacterial agents such as Gram (−) bacteria, other infectious agents, toxins, chemicals and injurious substances, may be used in the prevention and treatment of inflammation caused by bacterial translocation and injury and in treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Abstract: Antigenic rare outer membrane proteins of Spirochaetaceae are obtained from organisms extracted from infected tissue by a novel process of isolation utilizing a discontinuous Ficoll gradient separation, release of outer membrane in a low isotonic and low pH buffer and identification of outer membrane by use of a lipid soluble dye. Four antigenic rare outer membrane proteins of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum useful in diagnosis and prophylaxis of syphilis are provided. Also provided is the amino acid sequence of a rare outer membrane protein of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum and the nucleotide sequence encoding it.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to Borrelia burgdorferi toxin and antitoxin preparations. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis of Lyme disease, as well as for use in treating subjects infected with B. burgdorferi through passive immunization, and vaccine development.

Abstract: An antigenic preparation is provided containing an outer membrane protein associated with pathogenic strains of Leptospira. The protein has been designated ALipL32″ for Alipoprotein from Leptospira≅ and because the isolated polypeptide migrates to a position corresponding to a molecular weight of 32 kD in a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. The invention provides polynucleotides encoding LipL32 and antibodies that bind the protein which are useful in the diagnosis of leptospirosis. In addition, LipL32 can be used immunologically as a vaccine for spirochete-associated pathologies.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and prevention of ungulate diseases caused by the spirochete bacteria Treponema. The invention specifically relates to isolated cultures of this spirochete and isolated nucleic acids and proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides encoded by the same, antibodies directed thereto and a method of preparing such polypeptides including: (a) inserting an isolated DNA molecule coding for a polypeptide which is immunoreactive with a 66 kDa polypeptide derived from Borrelia garinii IP90 into an expression vector; (b) transforming a host organism or cell with the vector; (c) culturing the transformed host cell under suitable conditions; and (d) harvesting the polypeptide. The isolated DNA molecule is preferably at least 10 nucleotides in length, and the method may optionally include subjecting the polypeptide to post-translational modification. The host cell can be a bacterium, a yeast, a protozoan, or a cell derived from a multicellular organism such as a fungus, an insect cell, a plant cell, or a mammalian cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and prevention of ungulate diseases caused by the spirochete bacteria Treponema. The invention specifically relates to isolated cultures of this spirochete and isolated nucleic acids and proteins.

Abstract: A Treponema pallidum fused antigen in which at least two surface antigens of Treponema pallidum are fused and an assay for anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies, using the above Treponema pallidum fused antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are: substantially pure lipidated OspA protein, compositions containing substantially pure lipidated OspA protein, immunogenic fragments of OspA, compositions containing immunogenic fragments of OspA, polypeptides containing an immunogenic fragment or epitopic region of OspA, and methods for making and using such proteins, fragments, and polypeptides.

Abstract: Nucleic acid fragments are disclosed which encode a polypeptide antigen reactive with antisera from rabbits immunised with a 66 kDa protein from Borrelia garinii IP90. The presence of nucleic acid fragments encoding such a polypeptide antigen as well as the presence of the polypeptide antigen have been demonstrated in three strains of B. burgdorferi sensu lato, but are substantialle absent from at least 95% of randomly selected B. hermsii, B. crocidurae, B. anserina, and B. hispanica. The encoded polypeptide is surface exposed on the bacterial surface, it is highly conserved, and is thus potentially useful as a vaccine agent and as a diagnostic agent in the diagnosis of infections with B. burgdorferi as are the characteristic nucleic acid fragments of the invention. Also disclosed are methods of producing the polypeptide antigen according to the invention as are antibodies directed against the antigen.

Abstract: An antigen composition and method for the detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum and the diagnosis of syphilis are described. The antigen composition contains synthetic cardiolipin and synthetic lecithin. The antigen composition may additionally contain cholesterol and an alcohol. The antigen composition is useful as an immunoreagent in immunoassays for the detection of antibodies associated with T. pallidum infection. The methods are sensitive and specific for T. pallidum infection.