The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing heart disease in a canine, including early stage degenerative mitral valve disease, by using microbiome including specific genera and species. In one embodiment, the method can comprise measuring a normalized relative abundance of fecal bacteria including Faecalibacterium, Turicibacter, Streptococcus, E. Coli, Blautia, Fusobacterium, and C. hiranonis, calculating a dysbiosis index based on the fecal bacteria, and determining that the canine has heart disease if the dysbiosis index is greater than −1.0.

Disclosed is a method for identifying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus through detection a mass signal at m/z of 6580-6600 in the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum. Also disclosed is a novel peptide biomarker, which consists of SEQ NO ID:5 and the use thereof for detection and/or identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Disclosed is a method for identifying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus through detection a mass signal at m/z of 6580-6600 in the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum. Also disclosed is a novel peptide biomarker, which consists of SEQ NO ID:5 and the use thereof for detection and/or identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising and methods of producing genetically engineered bacteriophages, bacteriophage-like particles and non-replicating transduction particles (NRTPs) that contain non-native tail fibers that display altered host specificity and/or reactivity. The present invention also relates to methods of using these bacteriophages and NRTPs for the development of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and/or research reagents for bacteria-related diseases.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising and methods of producing genetically engineered bacteriophages, bacteriophage-like particles and non-replicating transduction particles (NRTPs) that contain non-native tail fibers that display altered host specificity and/or reactivity. The present invention also relates to methods of using these bacteriophages and NRTPs for the development of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and/or research reagents for bacteria-related diseases.

A method is for the detection of presence or absence, quantification, and identification of target microorganisms, such as bacteria, bacterial fragments (e.g., LPS, endotoxin), viruses, fungi as well as other pathogens by means of chemiluminescence. The method include providing a medium with one or more target analytes, target microorganisms or target metabolites, adding a dioxetane compound to the medium so that the dioxetane compound emits light, and detecting the emitted light.

Provided herein are kits comprising (a) erythrosin B (EB); (b) adsorbent; and (c) instructions for use. Also provided are methods of determining the percentage of dead bacteria in a bacterial cell population. The methods comprise (a) obtaining a bacterial cell population; (b) contacting the bacterial cell population with an erythrosin B (EB) solution; (c) contacting the bacterial cell population and EB with an adsorbent to remove excess EB; (d) transferring the non-adsorbed bacterial cell population and EB solution; and (e) determining the percentage of dead bacteria in the bacterial cell population.

Provided herein are kits comprising (a) erythrosin B (EB); (b) adsorbent; and (c) instructions for use. Also provided are methods of determining the percentage of dead bacteria in a bacterial cell population. The methods comprise (a) obtaining a bacterial cell population; (b) contacting the bacterial cell population with an erythrosin B (EB) solution; (c) contacting the bacterial cell population and EB with an adsorbent to remove excess EB; (d) transferring the non-adsorbed bacterial cell population and EB solution; and (e) determining the percentage of dead bacteria in the bacterial cell population.

The present invention relates to a Streptococcus pneumoniae antiserum without cross-reactivity and method for producing the same, more specifically, it relates to a method for producing a S. pneumoniae antiserum comprising the step of removing cross-reactivity using S. pneumoniae and a S. pneumoniae antiserum prepared by the method. The Streptococcus pneumoniae antiserum prepared according to the method of the present invention has very high specificity for a particular serotype, since the cross-reactivity with S. pneumoniae of serotypes expressing capsular polysaccharides of similar structure is removed. Therefore, it can be very useful in the related art that requires accurate quantification of S. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide.

The present invention relates to several methods to detect gram positive mastitis pathogens in a small sample of bovine milk by luminescence using a combination of specific reagents giving a “cow side” “in-stall” indication of the presence or absence of gram positive mastitis pathogens within a short period of time.