The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody against the OprF protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or to a functional fragment of this antibody. This antibody or antibody fragment is particularly useful for the preventive or curative treatment of infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The invention elates to use of one or more bacteriophages in vivo in a human or animal in order to induce sensitivity to chemical antibiotics in bacterial cells, where such susceptibility is heritable, independent of continuing bacteriophage metabolism within those cells, and does not relate to the destruction of a biofilm to induce such sensitivity.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagellin protein recruits the mammalian host sialidase enzyme neuraminidase-1 (NEU1) to remove sialic acid residues from the extracellular domain of the mammalian cell-surface protein MUC1 (MUC1-ED), thereby exposing a cryptic binding site on the MUC1-ED protein backbone for flagellin binding. NEU1-driven MUC1-ED desialylation rapidly increases P. aeruginosa adhesion to the airway epithelium. MUC1-ED desialylation also increases MUC1-ED cleavage and shedding from the cell surface, where desialylated, shed MUC1-ED competitively blocks P. aeruginosa adhesion to cell-associated MUC1-ED. Presented herein are data showing that exogenously-administered, deglycosylated MUC1-ED peptides reduced adhesion of P. aeruginosa to airway epithelial cells. Also presented are data showing that administration of P. aeruginosa to mice in combination with deglycosylated MUC1-ED decreased P. aeruginosa recovered from the lungs at 48 hr and 72 hr post-infection. Such findings are extended to the methods of treatment and prevention of bacterial infections defined herein.

Binding agents able to disrupt bacterial biofilms of diverse origin are described, including monoclonal antibodies secreted by human B lymphocytes. Methods to prevent formation of or to dissolve biofilms with these binding agents are also described. Immunogens for eliciting antibodies to disrupt biofilms are also described.

Provided among other things is a sampling system for determining an amount or type of contamination a narrow, elongated passageway in a medical device, said sampling system comprising: (a) a fluid supply system that supplies to said passageway a sampling liquid for flowing through said passageway and a gas for flowing through said passageway; and (b) a receiving container that receives liquid from said passageway, wherein said sampling liquid is sterile, wherein said sampling liquid is configured to allow recovery of viable pathogens from the passageway, and wherein said sampling liquid comprises an amount and selection of surfactant effective to enhance the dislodgement of Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria from the narrow passageways.

A support for a multiplex binding experiment is functionalized with at least two different polypeptides. The polypeptides are provided in a reaction mixture along with their cognate binding partners. The polypeptides have high affinity for their cognate binding partners provided in the reaction mixture. The polypeptides and their cognate binding partners can be used in immunoassays.

The invention relates to an ex vivo method for detecting or monitoring the progression of a chronic degenerative disease, in a sample of human or animal biological fluid, by immunoassay for the presence of antibodies in the sample, including at least: one or more antibodies directed against at least one endobacterium, and one or more antibodies directed against a tryptophan oxidation product.

The invention also relates to a kit for implementing such a method.

A method for rapid differential diagnosis of infection using supercritical fluid chromatographic separation of quorum sensing molecules as biomarkers for infection agents.

Provided are VHH or nanobodies that specifically bind to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) inhibitory factor (Cif), and uses thereof for diagnosis and treatment of Pseudomonas infection.

Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.