The invention relates to a method for identification and discrimination of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in a biological fluid. The method includes illuminating the biological fluid with a beam of light; obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated biological fluid; and finding Raman signatures corresponding to each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains from the obtained Raman data, so as to identify and discriminate each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in the biological fluid from the Raman signatures.

The invention provides for a proteomic approach for identification of specific bacterial protein profiles that may be used in the development of methods for the diagnosis of bacterial chronic sinusitis. The invention provides for methods for determining the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of the pathogenic bacteria. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of a pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the invention provides for devices, immunoassays and kits for identifying pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.

Compositions and methods for determining immunologically cross-reactive molecules comprising a cross-reactive antigenic determinant are provided, in particular for determining proteins comprising cross-reactive antigenic determinants, in particular for determining proteins that are cross-reactive based on serological screens using sequential immunological challenges to an animal, including determining cross-reactive H. parasuis proteins. Also provided are compositions, vaccines, and kits using the molecules for diagnostics and methods for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptoms thereof associated with infectious agents, in particular infectious microorganisms, in particular for preventing or treating a disease, disorder, condition, or symptom thereof associated with H. parasuis infection.

Binding agents able to disrupt bacterial biofilms of diverse origin are described, including monoclonal antibodies suitable for administration to a selected species, and antibody mimics including aptamer nucleic acids. 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.

Methods and compositions useful in treating neurodegenerative disorders are based on septapeptides and extended forms thereof (or portions thereof) that exhibit chemokine activity with respect to microglial cell precursors.

Binding agents able to disrupt bacterial biofilms of diverse origin are described, including monoclonal antibodies suitable for administration to a selected species, and antibody mimics including aptamer nucleic acids. 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.

The invention provides for a proteomic approach for identification of specific bacterial protein profiles that may be used in the development of methods for the diagnosis of bacterial chronic sinusitis. The invention provides for methods for determining the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of the pathogenic bacteria. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of a pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the invention provides for devices, immunoassays and kits for identifying pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.

This disclosure provides antibody fragments and isolated polypeptides comprising the antibody fragments that are useful as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection characterized by the formation of biofilms. Antibody fragments and isolated polypeptides comprising the antibody fragments can be administered to detect, treat, or prevent infection and/or remediate biofilms. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

The present invention provides compositions and methods that can be used to determine a peptide signature for an antibody repertoire in a sample comprising multiple antibodies. The method can be used to characterize a phenotype in a sample, such as providing a diagnosis, prognosis or theranosis of a medical condition.

The invention provides for a proteomic approach for identification of specific bacterial protein profiles that may be used in the development of methods for the diagnosis of bacterial chronic sinusitis. The invention provides for methods for determining the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of the pathogenic bacteria. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of a pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the invention provides for devices, immunoassays and kits for identifying pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.