Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection in milk of antibodies of any isotype which are specific for Staphylococcus aureus proteins in molecular weights ranging from 18,000 to 26,000 daltons, (2) a process for production and purification of said proteins, (3) a method of performing said ELISA utilizing said proteins and (4) use of said ELISA for detection of intramammary infection by S. aureus.

Abstract: A killed vaccine effective in the immunization of ruminants against intramammary challenge by S. aureus, comprises antiphagocytic in vivo antigen(s) produced by a pseudocapsule-producing strain of S. aureus. An in vitro method of cultivating S. aureus under "simulated in vivo conditions" is also disclosed, together with methods for the production and use of the killed vaccine.

Abstract: A radial immunodiffusion enzyme assay method for the simple estimation of immunoglobulins in humans and other animals, Agar test plates are provided including an underlying adherent coating of Staphylococcal Protein A antigen. Blood or blood serum samples from animals to be tested are placed in wells punched in the agar layer and allowed to incubate overnight. The agar gel is then removed. The resulting Protein A antigen layer with bound immunoglobulins from the samples is reacted with enzyme conjugated anti-immunoglobulin or enzyme conjugated Protein A. The reaction is visualized by overlaying the bound conjugate layer with agar containing a color producing enzyme substrate. The diameters of resulting colored zones permit estimation of total immunoglobulins. Methods of preparing Protein A antigen coated test plates are disclosed along with testing kits for carrying out the test procedure in the field.

Abstract: A vaccine for humans or warm-blooded animals for preventing or curing diseases caused by pathogenic germs, for example Staphylococcus or other bacteria, is obtained by growing the respective pathogenic germ in a form that lives on animal protein alien to warm-blooded animals, for example on fish protein, and incorporating this form of pathogenic germ in the vaccine.

Abstract: A method and composition for detecting analyte moieties by means of a signalling moiety capable of aggrandizement are disclosed. The signalling moiety can be attached to or not attached to the analyte moiety/analyte-specific moiety complex. The signalling moiety can be viable or non-viable. The methods disclosed herein provide a sensitive assay for the detection of a wide range of different analyte moieties.

Abstract: An enzyme which acts on a reducing terminal of a monosaccharide or oligosaccharide without requiring NAD or NADP and which catalyzes the reaction ##STR1## wherein R is a saccharide chain residue or hydrogen, A is a hydrogen acceptor other than NAD or NADP, AH or AHn is a reduced form acceptor and n is 1 or 2. This maltose dehydrogenase is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to genus Staphylococcus, specifically, sp. B-0875 FERM BP-385, and isolating the thus-produced maltose dehydrogenase from the culture medium. An assay method for the determination of saccharide or the activity of a saccharide liberating enzyme, comprises reacting this enzyme with a substrate in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor, and measuring the amount of a detectable change.

Abstract: A method to determine the Gram sign of microorganisms includes staining the microorganisms with a plurality of fluorescent dyes, applying excitation energy to the stained microorganisms, and observing the color of the fluorescence emission of the stained microorganisms. Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms stain different colors, and assignment of the Gram sign may be made on the basis of the color of the stained microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for removing immunosuppressive substances from the blood serum of cancer patients comprises contacting the serum at a temperature below room temperature and preferably not greater than 5.degree. C., with Protein A of S. aureus immobilized on a substrate. Conducting the immunoabsorption at low temperature reduces the amount of anaphylatoxins produced in the process and thereby reduces the side effects of immunoperfusion treatment. An apparatus for low-temperature immunoperfusion treatment comprises a chamber for containing the immunoabsorbent, inlet and outlet tubes connected to the chamber, and a cooling jacket surrounding the chamber and at least a portion of the inlet tube.

Abstract: Inactivated staphylococcal alpha toxin which is in a detoxified immunogenically active form prepared as a vaccine and administered parenterally to patients having multiple sclerosis or other disease involving demyelination of nerve sheath myelin. The amount of the inactivated alpha toxin administered is sufficient to effectively immunize the patient against active staphylococcal alpha toxin. The patient becomes subsequently infected with staphylococcus, the alpha toxin resulting from the infection is neutralized by the alpha toxin binding antibodies. This prevents exacerbation of the demyelination of the nerve sheaths, which otherwise can be promoted by the alpha toxin resulting from the staphylococcus infection.

Abstract: Glycosylation or transglycosylation of a specified guanine derivative, namely 9-substituted or non-substituted guanine of formula [I] with a 3-deoxyribose donor such as 3'-deoxyadenosine in the presence of a nucleoside phosphorylase source such as of microorganism origin is disclosed. The nucleoside phosphorylase source is specified.

Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of .sup.125 I-labelled Protein A (.sup.125 I PA) of high specific and functional activity. .sup.125 I PA has been used in combination with purified rabbit IgG (immunoglobulin G) bound to a solid support to develop a competitive binding assay capable of detecting Protein A or human, rabbit and guinea pig IgG at the nanogram level. Additionally, .sup.125 I PA may be used to detect methotrexate, leucovorin and similar substances..sup.125 I PA has also been used to detect IgG anti-Forssman antibody bound to sheep erythrocytes and to line-1 and line-10 tumor cells and as an indirect assay for tumor associated antigen in the ascitic fluid of tumor-bearing guinea pigs.Additionally, an improved method of preparation of iodination of Protein A is utilized. This procedure used the Bolton-Hunter (1973) reagent of radioactive iodine in benzene which carrier is evaporated.

Abstract: A process for removing melamine from liquids containing melamine by biological means. The aqueous solution or suspension of melamine is brought into contact with microorganisms or enzyme preparations having melaminase activity, and the resulting mixture is maintained under anaerobic conditions whereby at least a portion of the melamine is biodegraded.

Abstract: A homogeneous suspension, in a buffered aqueous solution having a pH of 7.0 to 7.7, of a destroyed microorganism which is positive to the clumping factor, said suspension containing from 3 to 50 percent by weight of at least one polyhydric alcohol soluble therein, is disclosed, as are its manufacture and its use as a reagent for the determination of fibrinogen and for fibrin cleavage products.

Abstract: An insolubilized antibody suitable for an enzyme immuno assay or radio immuno assay, which has characteristic infrared absorptions at around 1,040 cm.sup.-1, 1,540 cm.sup.-1 and 1,640 cm.sup.-1 and is prepared by chemically binding an antibody to cell wall debris of bacteria or yeasts whose shape is globular or rod-like. There is further disclosed an enzyme immuno assay or radio immuno assay using the insolubilized antibody and a kit containing the insolubilized antibody.