Abstract: A sublancin peptide variant (lantibody) having a spacer region and a subtilin leader peptide fused to the C-terminal end of the mature sublancin peptide provide an anchoring means for inserting and retaining the lantibody in a host cell wall without affecting the intracellular processing of the lantibody, host cell expression of the molecule on the cell surface or the biological activity of the mature sublancin peptide in extracellular, cell-wall-bound form. Target molecules that bind to the lantibody and methods of engineering a peptide variant gene, plasmid and a host cell transformant are described as are methods of using a lantibody to identify new target molecules.

Abstract: A monoclonal or polyclonal antibody specific for an epitope common to Staphylococcus aureus strains of various capsular serotypes, particularly methicillin-resistant strains, the antibody being selected from immunoglobulins G, M, and A, and the use thereof in a reagent for detecting Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to rapamycin and to 40-O-alkylated derivatives of rapamycin are provided, together with novel haptens, immunogenic conjugates, and processes for making them and assay kits for using them.

Abstract: Compositions containing a purified antibody having both an antigen-binding portion specific for a bacterial antigen and a constant region that does not bind bacterial Fc-binding proteins are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating and preventing bacterial infections in animals and humans.

Abstract: An antigenic preparation is provided which contains a 63 Kd outer membrane protein from Leptospira which can be used immunologically as a vaccine for leptospirosis caused by this organism. Also provided in the invention are polynucleotides encoding the protein and antibodies which bind the protein which are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of leptospirosis.

Abstract: Therapeutic multispecific compounds comprised of anti-Fc&agr; receptor antibodies and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, reagents, and kits that are useful for diagnosing infection by E. histolytica. The methods are based on the discovery of binding agents, including recombinant polyclonal antibodies, that bind to the 29 kDa antigen of E. histolytica.

Abstract: Disclosed are the cna gene and cna-derived nucleic acid segments from Staphylococcus aureus, and DNA segments encoding cna from related bacteria. Also disclosed are Col binding protein (CBP) compositions and methods of use. The CBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to Col. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(Col binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of bacterial colonization in an animal such as a human. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of S. aureus infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ELISA diagnostic kit for the assay of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 5a and 5b antibodies in the serum of pigs comprising in separate packaging, at least one of the following: a) a plate or solid support having bound thereto a purified lipopolysaccharide A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 antigen for a specific binding to anti-A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 5a or 5b antibodies present in the serum of pigs; b) serum from pigs experimentally inoculated with a strain of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 5 to serve as a positive control; c) pig serum from A. pleuropneumoniae free herd to serve as a negative control; and d) a detectably labeled conjugate which bind to pigs antibodies bound to the plate of a).

Abstract: There is provided an immunogenic composition capable of inducing protective antibodies against Helicobacter infection characterized in that it comprises: i) at least one sub-unit of a urease structural polypeptide from Helicobacter pylori (SEQ ID NO: 22,26), or a fragment thereof, said fragment being recognized by antibodies reacting with Helicobacter felis urease (SEQ ID NO: 20-21), and/or at least one sub-unit of a urease structural polypeptide from Helicobacter felis (SEQ ID NO: 20-21), or a fragment thereof, said fragment being recognized by antibodies reacting with Helicobacter pylori urease (SEQ ID NO: 22-26); ii) and/or, a heat shock protein (Hsp), or chaperonin, from Helicobacter, or a fragment of said protein. The preparation, by recombinant means, of such immunogenic compositions is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating LBP-mediated LPS-induced myeloid cell activation comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-LBP monoclonal antibody molecule. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-LBP antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention describes three monoclonal IgG antibodies, referred to as SWLA1, SWLA2, and SWLA3, which appear to recognize a species-specific lipooligosaccharide or lipopolysaccharide on the cell surface of S. mutans. The invention also describes a rapid method of detection of S. mutans without the need for prior growth of the bacteria in culture. The invention further describes a methods of utilizing these antibodies for rapidly quantitatively detecting S. mutans. These methods are sensitive enough to detect the presence of a single S. mutans bacterial cell. These methods can be widely used in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of dental caries in humans.

Abstract: Antibodies that bind Mycobacterium tuberculosis 28 kDa proteins and immune complexes between the antibodies and proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed are the dbp gene and dbp-derived nucleic acid segments from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, and DNA segments encoding dbp from related borrelias. Also disclosed are decorin binding protein compositions and methods of use. The DBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological Borrelia infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to decorin. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(decorin binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of Borrelia colonization in an animal. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of Lyme disease.

Abstract: A means for the rapid detection of bacteria from a liquid culture or slurry is described. A membrane mounted on a solid support is immersed in a liquid culture for a time sufficient to allow bacteria to adhere to the membrane, the membrane is removed from the culture and the number of bacteria adhering to the membrane is counted. The membrane may be either an inanimate membrane or a biological membrane. A test kit for use in the method is also described.

Abstract: The claimed invention is a method for determining whether a mammal is infected with Haemobartonella felis or for inducing an immune response against Haemobartonella felis using a polypeptide expressed by Mycoplasma. Preferably, the polypeptide is expressed by Mycoplasma gallisepticum. In a preferred embodiment the polypeptide is the pMGA protein expressed by the strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum having ATCC deposit number 19610.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating bacteremia, sepsis and other forms of toxemia caused by Gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CD14 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.