Apparatus is provided including a tube and a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into the tube. A distal end of the plunger is shaped to define one or more first passageways therethrough, and the plunger is shaped to define one or more compartments in fluid communication with the first passageways. A filter is coupled to the distal end of the plunger. The plunger is shaped to define a second passageway that passes through the plunger from a proximal end of the plunger to the distal end of the plunger, and is positioned to facilitate testing of the filter. The apparatus is configured such that while the plunger is advanced within the tube while fluid is within the tube, the fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, through the first passageways, and into the one or more compartments. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is provided including a tube and a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into the tube. A distal end of the plunger is shaped to define one or more first passageways therethrough, and the plunger is shaped to define one or more compartments in fluid communication with the first passageways. A filter is coupled to the distal end of the plunger. The plunger is shaped to define a second passageway that passes through the plunger from a proximal end of the plunger to the distal end of the plunger, and is positioned to facilitate testing of the filter. The apparatus is configured such that while the plunger is advanced within the tube while fluid is within the tube, the fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, through the first passageways, and into the one or more compartments. Other embodiments are also described.

Dioxetane compounds represented by Formula I below, and methods of using the dioxetane compounds in the detection of presence or absence, quantification, and identification of microorganisms including bacteria, bacterial fragments (e.g., LPS, endotoxin), viruses, and fungi by means of chemiluminescence. ##STR00001##

Dioxetane compounds represented by Formula I below, and methods of using the dioxetane compounds in the detection of presence or absence, quantification, and identification of microorganisms including bacteria, bacterial fragments (e.g., LPS, endotoxin), viruses, and fungi by means of chemiluminescence. ##STR00001##

In some embodiments, the present invention is a device, including: a swab including an absorptive component attached to a stem, an extraction chamber configured to receive the swab and position the absorptive component of the swab configured to be in fluid communication with an extraction reagent, a test strip configured to be brought in fluid communication with the extraction reagent following extraction of the analyte from the biological sample, including: a sample receiving portion configured to accept a sample, a site on the strip where the analyte-specific labeled reagent has been incorporated, such reagent configured to bind the analyte from the biological sample, a capture portion configured to receive: the analyte from the biological sample and the analyte-specific labeled reagent so as to result in displaying a positive or negative result at the completion of the assay, and an adsorbent pad attached to the test strip.

In some embodiments, the present invention is a device, including: a swab including an absorptive component attached to a stem, an extraction chamber configured to receive the swab and position the absorptive component of the swab configured to be in fluid communication with an extraction reagent, a test strip configured to be brought in fluid communication with the extraction reagent following extraction of the analyte from the biological sample, including: a sample receiving portion configured to accept a sample, a site on the strip where the analyte-specific labeled reagent has been incorporated, such reagent configured to bind the analyte from the biological sample, a capture portion configured to receive: the analyte from the biological sample and the analyte-specific labeled reagent so as to result in displaying a positive or negative result at the completion of the assay, and an adsorbent pad attached to the test strip.

Disclosed herein are biomarkers useful for identifying and/or classifying bacterial infections in a subject.

Provided are methods for determining the health status of subject considered as a potential intestinal microflora donor, and to compositions including bacteria obtained from healthy subjects. Further provided are methods of identifying individuals of exceptional health suitable to be donors of bacteria of the intestinal microflora, and methods for producing reproducibly effective probiotic compositions, and probiotic compositions derived from such bacteria.

Apparatus is provided for testing a biological fluid for presence of a biological particulate. The apparatus includes a tube, a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into and advanced within the tube, and a filter. The apparatus is configured such that as the plunger is advanced within the tube while the biological fluid is within the tube, the biological fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, thereby trapping, by the filter, the biological particulate present in the biological fluid. The apparatus is shaped so as to define at least one enclosed cavity containing a biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution configured to test for the presence of the biological particulate trapped by the filter. The enclosed cavity is configured to open while the plunger is inside the tube, so as to release the biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution within the tube. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is provided for testing a biological fluid for presence of a biological particulate. The apparatus includes a tube, a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into and advanced within the tube, and a filter. The apparatus is configured such that as the plunger is advanced within the tube while the biological fluid is within the tube, the biological fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, thereby trapping, by the filter, the biological particulate present in the biological fluid. The apparatus is shaped so as to define at least one enclosed cavity containing a biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution configured to test for the presence of the biological particulate trapped by the filter. The enclosed cavity is configured to open while the plunger is inside the tube, so as to release the biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution within the tube. Other embodiments are also described.