Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining if an individual is infected by a staphylococcus bacterium, comprising: determining if antibodies directed against at least 2 proteins comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO: 6, are present in a biological sample of the individual, and deducing therefrom that the individual is infected by a staphylococcus bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified polypeptide with a biological activity to lyse cell walls of bacteria, wherein the polypeptide has no caspase, clostripain, enterokinase, factor Xa, granzyme B, staphylococcus peptidase I (V8 Protease), plasmin, streptopain, bacillolysin and/or thrombin cleavage site. The invention further relates to nucleic acids with a sequence encoding a polypeptide according to the present invention.

Abstract: Uses of silica nanoparticles functionalized with water-dispersible groups, shielding groups, and biomolecule-binding groups.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which can bind to the SdrF protein of Staphylococcus epidermidis are provided which can be useful in the treatment and protection against infection from staphylococcal bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention are advantageous in that they can also recognize binding domains and subdomains of the S. epidermidis SdrF protein in addition to the protein itself. Suitable compositions and passive vaccines based on the monoclonal antibodies of the invention, as well as methods for their use, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides for devices and methods for detecting an organism causing a urinary tract infection. In a preferred embodiment, detecting the organism causing a urinary tract infection follows a preliminary indication of a urinary tract infection by a urinary monitoring device to monitor for the presence or absence of markers indicative of a urinary tract infection. The invention also provides for methods of using such devices.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for the treatment and inhibition of infectious disease, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns immunogenic peptides, for instance PSM peptides, which can be used to induce protective immunity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. Also disclosed are methods of detecting methicillin-resistant staphylococcus in a sample, and methods of diagnosing methicillin-resistant staphylococcus in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a VISA strain in a sample comprising measuring SAV2095 expression levels, a kit and use of SAV2095 for same. The present invention also relates to a method for facilitating the development of an individualized treatment regimen comprising measuring the expression level of SAV2095. The present invention further relates to a method for monitoring the progression of a vancomycin treatment of an infection comprising measuring the expression level of SAV2095. The present invention also relates to the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in a sample.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an antibody against a Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin contained in Staphylococcus aureus, a method and a kit for detecting the toxin with the use of the antibody, and a pharmaceutical composition containing an antibody against a Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin for treating PVL infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus containing PVL are provided. Also, an antibody which is capable of binding to Panton-Valentine leukocidin F and has no cross-reactivity to LukD and/or HlgB and an antibody which is capable of binding to Panton-Valentine leukocidin S and has no cross-reactivity to at least one of LukE, HlgC, and HlgA are provided.

Abstract: Polypeptides are provided, which are useful to produce specific monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies that serve as detection means in order to characterize any staphylococcal strain carrying genes encoding resistance to streptogramin A or to streptogramin B.

Abstract: An isolated extracellular matrix-binding protein, designated as SdrD and its corresponding amino acid and nucleic acid sequences and motifs are described. The proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection and as scientific research tools. Further, antibodies or antibody fragments to the proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are also useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection. In particular, the proteins or antibodies thereof may be administered to wounds or used to coat biomaterials to act as blocking agents to prevent or inhibit the binding of S. aureus to wounds or biomaterials.

Abstract: Methods for detecting target biological analytes within sample material using acousto-mechanical energy generated by a sensor are disclosed. The acousto-mechanical energy may be provided using an acousto-mechanical sensor, e.g., a surface acoustic wave sensor such as, e.g., a shear horizontal surface acoustic wave sensor (e.g., a LSH-SAW sensor). The detection of the target biological analytes in sample material are enhanced by coupling of the target biological analyte (e.g., through the use of magnetic particles), application of a magnetic field to draw the target analyte to the sensor surface, and subsequent removal of the magnetic field before measuring detection.

Abstract: Multiplexed lateral flow assays, related methods, and devices are disclosed which are capable of simultaneously detecting multiple analytes. The assays are preferably immunoassays and can be multiplexed spatially, spectrally, and both spatially and spectrally. Multiplexed assays are disclosed employing quantum dots for applications including the detection of human proteins and the monitoring of microorganisms relevant to water contamination. The multiplexed assays can employ one or more species of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering nanoparticles, with one or more species having a unique Raman shift spectrum. The invention is widely adaptable to a variety of analytes such as biowarfare agents, human clinical markers, and other substances.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, assays and compositions for implementing such methods and assays for assessing efficacy of individual components in multi-component vaccines and for assessing efficacy of a vaccine against a pathogen. In one aspect, the method of assessing efficacy of a vaccine against a pathogen is a quick assay that tests for an activity correlated with efficacy such as binding in an ELISA rather than requiring the time and expense of an assay that detects actual bactericidal activity. In another aspect, the method for testing the efficacy of an individual component in a multi-component vaccine includes obtaining an immune sample from a subject inoculated with the multi-component vaccine; blocking the portion of the immune sample that recognizes the individual component such as by addition of the individual component, and testing the efficacy of the immune sample to respond to the pathogen.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the presence of a target bacteria based on its resistance to a cell lysing antibiotic. Said antibiotic is used to lyse cells of non-target bacteria in a sample and hence facilitate isolation of the target prior to detection by known means.

Abstract: An isolated extracellular matrix-binding protein, designated as SdrC and its corresponding amino acid and nucleic acid sequences and motifs are described. The proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection and as scientific research tools. Further, antibodies or antibody fragments to the proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are also useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection. In particular, the proteins or antibodies thereof may be administered to wounds or used to coat biomaterials to act as blocking agents to prevent or inhibit the binding of S. aureus to wounds or biomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for determining the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in a sample through detection of a nucleic acid encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A.

Abstract: A polynucleotide encoding a protein as defined in the following (a), (b) or (c): (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; (b) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 with one or several amino acids substituted, deleted, inserted or added, and having a tannase activity; (c) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence showing 90% or more homology to the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, and having a tannase activity.

Abstract: The invention enables efficient, rapid, and sensitive enumeration of living cells by detecting microscopic colonies derived from in situ cell division using large area imaging. Microbial enumeration tests based on the invention address an important problem in clinical and industrial microbiology—the long time needed for detection in traditional tests—while retaining key advantages of the traditional methods based on microbial culture. Embodiments of the invention include non-destructive aseptic methods for detecting cellular microcolonies without labeling reagents. These methods allow for the generation of pure cultures which can be used for microbial identification and determination of antimicrobial resistance.

Abstract: Surface proteins are provided which generate polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which are cross-reactive to both coagulase-positive staphylococcus bacteria, such as S. aureus and to coagulase-negative bacteria, such as S. epidermidis and S. hemolyticus. The antibodies may be generated from surface proteins that have been isolated on the basis of characteristics that may be common between S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, or the A domains of those surface proteins, and these recombinant surface proteins are used to generate the cross-reactive antibodies. Vaccines comprising an immunologically effective amount of the proteins are also provided, and these vaccines are used in methods for the treatment or protection against a wide variety of staphylococcal infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides human binding molecules specifically binding to enterococci and having killing activity against enterococci, nucleic acid molecules encoding the human binding molecules, compositions comprising the human binding molecules and methods of identifying or producing the human binding molecules. The human binding molecules can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of a condition resulting from Enterococcus.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for identifying small molecule inhibitors of S. aureus SdrD protein attachment to a host cell receptor using a structural model of SdrD protein-receptor interaction. Also provided are the small molecule inhibitors so identified and synthetic small molecules effective to bind SdrD protein and/or the host cell receptor. In addition, antibodies directed against SdrD protein are provided. Further provided are methods of treating or preventing S. aureus associated lung infections and of inhibiting S. aureus adherence to a lung cell using the small molecules and antibodies described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides MSCRAMM® proteins from S. aureus which are putative highly-expressed antigens from methicillin-resistant S. aureus, including communit-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), and these antigens can thus be utilized in methods of generating antibodies capable of binding these antigens which can be useful in methods of treating or preventing infection from MRSA. The present invention is directed to these proteins, antibodies capable of binding these proteins, methods of generating said antibodies, nucleic acids coding for said proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines which include the proteins or antibodies of the present invention in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier or excipient.

Abstract: This disclosure presents embodiments of novel strains of Staphylococcus aureus that through genetic engineering produce type 5 capsular polysaccharide at greater levels than Staphylococcus aureus strain Reynolds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition or a medicament, notably a protective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine, comprising at least one cell wall-associated Staphylococcus aureus protein or a fragment or derivative thereof causing an immune response that induces opsonophagocytic activity of human neutrophils for S. aureus. The invention further provides particular cell wall-associated Staphylococcus aureus proteins and their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the early diagnosis of cancer in a subject, which is based on determination of the relative fraction of microorganisms derived from the feces of the subject, as compared to the total count of microorganisms in the same of corresponding sample. This relation has been found to be indicative of the presence or absence of cancer in said subject. After isolating at least one of the microorganisms from the fecal sample to form a so-called diagnostic sample, and incubating, for a sufficient time, the diagnostic sample with cancer cells. The microorganism being in an amount corresponding to its relative fraction in the original fecal sample, the cancerolytic activity of the microorganism/s is indicative to the presence or absence of cancer cells in the subject. The cancerolytic activity is expressed by terms of a tumor cell necrosis index (TCNI).

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for binding an analyte of interest in a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate with an exposed surface with an compound, that is electrostatically charged or capable of forming hydrogen bonds, provided bound to the solid substrate. A recombinant single chain antibody (scFv) molecule specific for the analyte of interest, having one or more amino acids with charged or hydrogen-bond forming sidechains in a linker polypeptide portion, is bound to the layer on the solid substrate. When the analyte of interest is present in the sample the scFv binds the analyte to the solid substrate. The apparatus can be used with an immunoglobulin layer to detect Fc receptors, so as to detect microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus having protein A or protein G.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of detecting staphylococcus.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, which bind to Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus are provided.

Abstract: An antimicrobial peptide produced by Bacillus subtilis 168 was isolated and characterized and named sublancin 168. The invention includes DNA encoding for the sublancin 168 peptides and peptides which are at least 80% identical to the sublancin 168 peptide. The peptides may be administered as anti-bacterials, or may be used in food preservation. The peptides may also be co-administered with other lantibiotics (such as nisin and subtilin), or with known antibiotics.

Abstract: The invention describes the identification, making, and isolation of immunoglobulin and antigen useful for preventing, diagnosing, and treating staphylococcal infections. The invention further describes an in vivo animal model useful for testing the efficacy of pharmaceutical compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions of immunoglobulin and isolated antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries that express highly diverse peptides or protein domains and, in particular, methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries wherein the nucleic acid fragments of the libraries are derived from two or more diverse characterized genomes.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate with a layer of receptive material disposed thereon. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest. A pattern of active and deactivated areas of the receptive material are defined in the receptive material layer by a masking process.

Abstract: A substantially pure capsular exopolysaccharide adhesin of coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains, and a gonoral method to prepare such adhesins, are described. Vaccines composed of such adhesins, and uses of such adhesins to produce polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against such adhesins, are also disclosed. The adhesins are useful in coating polymoric medical materials to prevent colonization by coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains, and as a probe in selecting desirable polymeric medical materials. Such adhesin antibodies are useful in vivo to prevent infection by nosocomial coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains, in assays for the detection of such bacteria, in assays for the estimation of such adhesins in complex mixtures, and as an affinity chromatography matrix.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which can bind to the ClfA protein and which are generated from binding subdomains or active fragments of the ClfA protein from Staphylococcus aureus, including the active fragments proteins from its fibrinogen binding domain such as Clf40 protein, the Clf33 protein, or ClfA N3, are provided which can be useful in the treatment and protection against infection from staphylococcal bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, medical instruments can be treated using the monoclonal antibodies of the invention in order to reduce or eliminate the possibility of their becoming infected or further spreading the infection. In particular, the antibodies of the present invention are advantageous because they can prevent adherence of the bacteria to host cells by impairing or inhibiting the ability of S. aureus ClfA to bind to fibrinogen or fibrin, and thus can be utilized in methods or treating or preventing staphylococcal inventions.

Abstract: A negatively-charged Staphylococcus antigen contains amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine as a major carbohydrate component. The antigen is common to many coagulase-negative strains of Staphylococcus, including S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, and S. hominis. Staphylococcus strains that carry the antigen include many clinically significant strains of Staphylococcus. The antigen and antibodies to the antigen are useful in kits and assays for diagnosing Staphylococcus infection. Vaccines of the antigen and of whole cells that carry the antigen also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of food allergy or food intolerance and their cross-reactive tissue antigens is disclosed. The method includes determining a level of antibodies against a dietary antigen in a mucosal sample from the patient and comparing the level with normal levels of the antibodies. Dietary antigens that were tested include milk and milk products; eggs and egg products; meat and meat products; fish, mollusks, and crustaceans and their products; oils, fats, and their products; grains and grain products; pulses, seed, kernels, nuts, and their products; vegetable and vegetable products; fruit and fruit products; sugar, sugar product, chocolate products, and confectionary; and spices.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that separation of components of a sample facilitate, and are often necessary for, sample analysis. Dielectrophoretic separation provides an efficient, reliable, nondisruptive, and automatable method for the separation of moieties in a sample based on their dielectric properties. The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing the dielectrophoretic separation of one or more moieties in a sample. A first aspect of the present invention is a solution that when mixed with a sample, modifies at least one dielectric property of one or more components of the sample and has a conductivity such that one or more moieties of the sample can be separated using dielectrophoresis. Such solutions can be used in the analysis of samples on chips, and can be used in methods that use binding partners, including microparticles that can be translocated by dielectrophoretic forces, traveling-wave dielectrophoretic forces or magnetic forces.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of functional antibodies and the analysis of vaccine efficacy are described. In particular, the present invention provides opsonophagocytic assays. The assays are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different functional antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple colors and/or intensities.

Abstract: A mutant staphylococcal alpha hemolysin polypeptide containing a heterologous analyte-binding amino acid which assembles into an analyte-responsive heptameric pore assembly in the presence of a wild type staphylococcal alpha hemolysin polypeptide, digital biosensors, and methods of detecting, identifying, and quantifying analytes are described.

Abstract: Isolated peptide sequences and proteins containing these sequences are provided which are useful in the prevention and treatment of infection caused by Gram-positive bacteria. The peptide sequences have been shown to be highly conserved motifs in the surface proteins of Gram-positive bacteria, and these consensus sequences include amino acid sequences such as LPXTG (SEQ ID NO:13), ALKTGKIDIIISGMTSTPERKK (SEQ ID NO:14), VEGAWEKPVAEAYLKQN (SEQ ID NO:15), and EYAGVDIDLAKKIAK (SEQ ID NO:16). By virtue of the highly conserved regions, the sequences and the proteins including these sequences can be utilized to generate antibodies which can recognize these highly conserved motifs and the proteins containing them and thus be useful in the treatment or prevention of a wide range of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: A method for identifying suitable targets for antibacterial agents based on identifying targets of bacteriophage-encoded proteins is described. Also described are compositions useful in the identification methods and in inhibiting bacterial growth, and methods for preparing and using such compositions.

Abstract: Isolated and purified Staphylococcus thioredoxin reductases (TrxB) are provided. Polynucleotides encoding the TrxBs, vectors and host cells containing such polynucleotides are also provided. In addition, antibodies reactive with the TrxBs are provided, as are methods of isolating the TrxBs, as well as methods for producing recombinant TrxBs, using TrxBs for screening compounds for TrxB-modulating activity, and detecting Staphylococcus in a test sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protein isolated from S. aureus that is the target of RAP, called TRAP, which is characterized by a molecular weight of about 21 KDa, is capable of being phosphorylated by RAP, and comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In addition, the present invention is directed towards an antibody immunoreactive with TRAP that is preferably a monoclonal antibody or a humanized antibody but may be a polyclonal antibody. The invention provides a method of treating S. aureus infection by administering such a TRAP-inhibiting agent. The invention also features methods for identifying compounds that inhibit TRAP activity and/or inhibit TRAP-RAP interaction.

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus virulence genes are identified, thereby allowing the identification of novel anti-bacterial agents that target these virulence genes and their products, and provision of novel S. aureus mutants useful in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and an immuno-analytical device for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple micro-organisms in the biological fluids from milk-producing animals suffering from mastitis. This method is based on a lateral flow immuno-assay technique performed to detect antigens specific for multiple infectious agents which are known to cause and/or be encountered in cases of mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the udders of milk-producing animals as a result of microbial infections.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for screening a test compound for the ability of the test compound to induce a response from human naive T-cells. The method comprises admixing human naive T cells, macrophages/monocytes, immortalized B cells lacking class I and class II major histocompatibility antigens, and a test compound; and determining whether the test compound induces a response from the human naive T cells. The invention further provides a method for primary in vitro sensitization of human naive T-cells. The method comprises admixing human naive T cells, macrophages/monocytes, immortalized B cells lacking class I and class II major histocompatibility antigens, and an antigen.

Abstract: A method for determining a cause for digestive and immune disorders is disclosed. The method determines the levels of antibodies against normal intestinal microflora and food antigens. It then compares the results to normal levels to determine the cause. The test can be used to diagnose food allergy or intolerance, microflora imbalance, gut barrier dysfunction, bacterial translocation, immunodeficiencies, candidiasis and autoimmunities.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus are provided. The reagents contain an antibody that binds to a capsular polysaccharide of type 5 of Staphylococcus aureus, and can be used in methods for detection of oxacillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus that escapes detection by agglutination in the presence of fibrinogen and antibodies directed against protein A of Staphylococcus.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate with a layer of receptive material disposed thereon overlying a layer containing a photo-reactive agent. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest. A pattern of active and inactive areas of the receptive material are defined in the receptive material layer by a masking process wherein the photo-reactive agent is activated in the exposed regions of the mask.

Abstract: A magnetic focusing immunosensor for the detection of pathogens comprising a laser, an exciting fiber and a collecting fiber, a fiber optic magnetic probe in communication with the collecting and exciting fibers and means for detecting, collecting and measuring fluorescent signals in communication with the collecting fiber. The probe and the collecting and exciting fibers are configured to focus paramagnetic microspheres attached to antigen/antibody/optically labeled complexes in a predetermined pattern in the field of view of the collecting fiber while blocking background interference.