Abstract: Vaccine compositions protective against Chlamydia psittaci infections in animals, including but not limited to humans and avian species, comprising an immunogenic amount of a C. psittaci major outer membrane protein (MOMP) polypeptide lacking regions VD1 and VD2 are provided. Nucleic acid vectors for the expression of MOMP polypeptides and MOMP polypeptide fusion proteins are disclosed. Nucleic acid vectors encoding a C. psittaci major outer membrane protein (MOMP) polypeptide lacking regions VD1 and VD2 useful for genetic, or “naked nucleic acid” vaccination are disclosed. Methods for preventing a Chlamydia psittaci infection in a subject using MOMP polypeptides, MOMP polypeptide-fusion proteins, or nucleic acid expression vectors are also provided.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a CPN100149 polypeptide of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the CPN100149 polypeptide in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating chlamydial infections in mammals and humans. According to the invention, tissue material containing clamydia is heated to temperatures of greater than 50° C., preferably 80-85° C., for 1-5 hours in the presence of agents, preferably formaldehyde or p-formaldehyde, which cross-link proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to adjuvants that contain a lecithin, an oil and an amphiphilic surfactant and that are capable of forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion vaccine so as to minimize local reactions to the vaccine in the injected animal.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydial infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a Chlamydia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided, together with antibodies directed against such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Chlamydial infection in patients and in biological samples.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydial infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a Chlamydia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided, together with antibodies directed against such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Chlamydial infection in patients and in biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of PorB polypeptide as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiment the invention features a chlamydial vaccine based on a PorB polypeptide, as well as methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila. The invention further features methods for identifying agents that offset PorB function (e.g., in transport of &agr;-ketoglutarate and which are effective as anti-chlamydial chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: Chlamydia pneumoniae antigenic polypeptides, which comprise polypeptide A containing a sequence of at least 5 consecutive amino acids in the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1; DNAs encoding the antigenic polypeptides, or DNAs complementary thereto; a method for production of an anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody, wherein the antigenic polypeptide is used as an antigen; a method for detection and/or measurement of an anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody, which comprise the antigenic polypeptide as an antigen; agents for diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections, which comprise the antigenic polypeptide as an active ingredient; fused proteins of an antigenic polypeptide of Chlamydia pneumoniae with dihydrofolate reudctase; a method for production of an anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody, wherein the fused protein is used as an antigen; reagents for detection and/or measurement of an anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody, which comprise the fused protein as an antigen; agents for diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae infect

Abstract: Chlamydia pneumoniae antigenic polypeptides, which comprise polypeptide A containing a sequence of at least 5 consecutive amino acids in the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, DNAs encoding the antigenic polypeptides, or DNAs complementary thereto; a method for detection and/or measurement of an anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody, wherein the antigenic polypeptide is used as an antigen; reagents for detection and/or measurement of an anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody, which comprise the antigenic polypeptide as an antigen; agents for diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections, which comprise the antigenic polypeptide as an active ingredient; fused proteins of an antigenic polypeptide of Chlamydia pneumoniae with dihydrotolate reductase, in which polypeptide A containing a sequence of at least 5 consecutive amino acids in the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 is bound to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14 either directly or via an intervening amino acid or amino acid sequence; DNAs encoding the fused proteins, or DNAs co

Abstract: Chlamydia pneumoniae antigenic polypeptides, which comprise polypeptide A containing a sequence of at least 5 consecutive amino acids in the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1; DNAs encoding the antigenic polypeptides, or DNAs complementary thereto; DNAs encoding the probes and primers for detection and/or measurement of Chlamydia pneumoniae gene. The present invention further provides a method for detection and/or measurement of Chlamydia pneumoniae gene, wherein the probe or primer is used; reagents for detection and/or measurement of Chlamydia pneumoniae gene, which comprise the probe or primer; and agents for diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections, which comprise the probe or primer as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions including vaccines are described that comprise an outer membrane antigen extract of a strain of Chlamydia and are effective in protection against disease caused by Chlamydia infection. The immunogenic compositions may comprise the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia which may be in a homooligomeric form or complexed with at least one other antigen of Chlamydia. The immunogenic composition may include an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) and the outer membrane antigen may be incorporated therein. The immunogenic compositions have utility as chlamydial vaccines and in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions protective against Chlamydia psittaci infections in animals, including but not limited to humans and avian species, comprising an immunogenic amount of a C. psittaci major outer membrane protein (MOMP) polypeptide lacking regions VD1 and VD2 are provided. Nucleic acid vectors for the expression of MOMP polypeptides and MOMP polypeptide fusion proteins are disclosed. Nucleic acid vectors encoding a C. psittaci major outer membrane protein (MOMP) polypeptide lacking regions VD1 and VD2 useful for genetic, or “naked nucleic acid” vaccination are disclosed. Methods for preventing a Chlamydia psittaci infection in a subject using MOMP polypeptides, MOMP polypeptide-fusion proteins, or nucleic acid expression vectors are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydial infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a Chlamydia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided, together with antibodies directed against such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Chlamydial infection in patients and in biological samples.

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a major outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a MOMP or a MOMP fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with MOMP and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the MOMP in the host. The nonreplicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a 98 kDa outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the 98 kDa outer membrane protein gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method fo nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an ATP/ADP translocase of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the ATP/ADP translocase gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an PilG-like protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the PilG-like gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a lorf2 protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the lorf2 gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotide molecules that encode Chlamydia polypeptides which can be used in methods to prevent, treat, and diagnose Chlamydia infection. In one form of the invention, the polynucleotide molecules are selected from DNA that encode polypeptides CPN100686 RY-54 (SEQ ID Nos: 1 and 14), CPN100696 RY-55 (SEQ ID Nos: 2 and 15), CPN100709 RY-57 (SEQ ID Nos: 3 and 16), CPN100710 RY-58 (SEQ ID Nos: 4 and 17), CPN100711 RY-59 (SEQ ID Nos: 5 and 18), CPN100877 RY-61 (SEQ ID Nos: 6 and 19), CPN100325 RY-62 (SEQ ID Nos: 7 and 20), CPN100368 RY-63 (SEQ ID Nos: 8 and 21), CPN100624 RY-64 (SEQ ID Nos: 9 and 22), CPN100633 RY-65 (SEQ ID Nos: 10 and 23), CPN100985 RY-66 (SEQ ID Nos: 11 and 24), CPN100987 RY-67 (SEQ ID Nos: 12 and 25), CPN100988 RY-68 (SEQ ID Nos: 13 and 26).

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, for immunization to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a major outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a MOMP or a MOMP fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with MOMP and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the MOMP in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

Abstract: Identification of linear amino acid antigenic sequences for the production of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to defined antigenic domains is described. Also described are antigenic peptides identified by the described methods and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for and methods of eliciting in a vertebrate a protective immune response against a member of the genus Chlamydia. The methods include administering to the vertebrate a composition having a carrier group coupled to an oligosaccharide obtained from a chlamydial glycolipid. The composition is administered in an amount sufficient to elicit a protective immune response against the parasite.

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

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

Abstract: Coupled polypeptides and fusion polypeptides for intracellular transport, and their preparation and use, include (i) an aminoacid sequence with the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein (or a homologue, e.g. from VZV, BHV or MDV) and (ii) another protein sequence selected from (a) proteins for cell cycle control; (b) suicide proteins; (c) antigenic sequences or antigenic proteins from microbial and viral antigens and tumor antigens; (d) immunomodulating proteins; and (e) therapeutic proteins. The coupled proteins can be used for intracellular delivery of protein sequences (ii), to exert the corresponding effector function in the target cell, and the fusion polypeptides can be expressed from corresponding polynucleotides, vectors and host cells.

Abstract: Chimeric nucleic acids encoding chimeric Borrelia proteins consisting of at least two antigenic polypeptides from corresponding and/or non-corresponding proteins from the same and/or different species of Borrelia, are disclosed. Chimeric proteins encoded by the nucleic acid sequences are also disclosed. The chimeric proteins are useful as vaccine immunogens against Lyme borreliosis, as well as for immunodiagnostic reagents.

Abstract: A plasmid isolated from Clamydia trachomatis is described, which comprises 8 genes encoding proteins useful in the formulation of vaccines or diagnostic test for determining the bacterium or specific antibodies generated during C. trachomatis infections; in particular the recombinant fusion MS2-pgp3D protein is described comprising polypeptidic sequences encoded by pCT and immunogenic in the course of infections in man. A method for preparing said protein in E. coli further described.

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a major outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a MOMP or a MOMP fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with MOMP and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the MOMP in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

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