Abstract: The present invention provides improved antimicrobial compositions comprising peptide fragments of tammar wallaby milk proteins and analogs and derivatives thereof exemplified by the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID Nos: 1-40 and uses therefor in the treatment of a range of infections by bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial compositions are particularly useful for broad spectrum applications, especially for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Abstract: Piglet feed is supplemented with anti-E. coli K88 antibody-containing egg powder having a titer of the K88 antibodies of at least 1/256,000 as a means of improving growth performance of piglets.

Abstract: A vaccine, effective in inducing the production of antibodies with which to immunize a second subject passively against infection by Gram-negative bacteria and LPS-mediated pathology, comprises a non-covalent polyvalent complex formed between purified, detoxified LPS derived from E. coli and purified outer membrane protein derived from N. meningitidis. The same vaccine will also actively immunize a host subject against Gram-negative bacterial infections and LPS-mediated pathology. Meningococcal infections are included among those Gram-negative bacterial infections protected against by the vaccine.

Abstract: New products are provided comprising inactivated lower eukaryotic cells, preferably yeasts or molds, having at the outer surface functionally active antibodies or functionally active fragments thereof. Preferred antibody fragments are the variable domains of Camelidae heavy chain antibodies, which are surprisingly stable against physical and chemical decontamination regimes and do not loose their activity when they are immobilized on the glucan layer of the cell wall which is present in a variety of lower eukaryotes. The new products are preferably in the field of food products, personal care products, and animal feed products.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing anti-E. coli O157 antibodies. Anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies are produced in egg-laying hens and isolated from the eggs. E. coli O157:H7 is cultured in a brain heart infusion broth and killed by the treatment with hot water for 5-10 min. After being collected by centrifugation, the dead bacteria is homogenized. Serving as an antigenic material, the bacterial homogenate is injected into egg-laying hens to induce antibodies against E. coli O157:H7 in the eggs. The induced antibodies are isolated from the yolk of the eggs and the eggs containing the antibodies against E. coli O157:H7 can be utilized, in their entirety, for foods. Alternatively, the yolks are separated from the eggs and freeze-dried. The resulting dried egg component can be applied to processed foodstuffs, alone or in combination with whole eggs. Since the antibodies against E. coli O157:H7 are contained in frozen eggs, it is very convenient to store the antibodies.

Abstract: A peptide consisting of the following amino acid sequence, or an analogue or a fragment thereof, has an inhibitory activity on cholesteryl ester transfer protein:Glu Asp Thr Ser Pro Glu Asp Lys Met Gln Asp Tyr Val Lys Gln Ala Thr Arg Thr Ala Gln Asp Ala Leu Thr Ser Val Lys.

Abstract: A method for lowering somatic cell count in the milk of a lactating ruminant is disclosed. IgY antibodies are first obtained from the egg of a hen which has been actively immunized against one or more mastitis-causing pathogenic organisms by injection with an immunogen containing immunogenic determinants specific to elicit such antibodies. The immunogenic determinant may comprise only a specific portion of the pathogenic organism, e.g., the fimbria of a piliated bacterium. The IgY antibodies are then administered orally to a ruminant in which it is desired to lower milk somatic cell count. Antibody administration may occur during a ruminant's dry period as well as during lactation. In a preferred embodiment, the antigen used in immunization of the hen comprises one or more of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae. The method of this invention has been shown to be efficacious in lowering somatic cell count in dairy cattle.