We provide new monoclonal antibody inhibitors of coagulases staphylocoagulase and vWbp for treatment of S. aureus. The monoclonal antibodies are useful in targeting the SC N-terminus of SC and vWbp (respectively) and inhibiting prothrombin activation. The monoclonal antibodies are able to bind to and interfere with, modulate, and/or inhibit the binding interactions between the coagulase protein and its ligand protein prothrombin in blood and tissues. The antibodies are effective in inhibiting the activation of prothrombin.

A method and kit for for determining of an effective concentration of an antimicrobial agent for inhibiting bacterial growth are provided. The method and kit involve the use of a first and second multiwell receptacle. A fluid sample containing or suspected to contain one or more microbial organisms is dispensed into the wells of the first multiwell receptacle containing a range of dilutions of an antimicrobial agent, growth medium and a bacteriophage to form assay mixtures in the wells. The assay mixtures are then transferred to the corresponding wells of the second multiwell receptacle for detection.

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.

Devices, systems and methods including a sonicator for sample preparation are provided. A sonicator may be used to mix, resuspend, aerosolize, disperse, disintegrate, or de-gas a solution. A sonicator may be used to disrupt a cell, such as a pathogen cell in a sample. Sample preparation may include exposing pathogen-identifying material by sonication to detect, identify, or measure pathogens. A sonicator may transfer ultrasonic energy to the sample solution by contacting its tip to an exterior wall of a vessel containing the sample. Multipurpose devices including a sonicator also include further components for additional actions and assays. Devices, and systems comprising such devices, may communicate with a laboratory or other devices in a system for sample assay and analysis. Methods utilizing such devices and systems are provided. The improved sample preparation devices, systems and methods are useful for analyzing samples, e.g. for diagnosing patients suffering from infection by pathogens.

A bio-sensor device for the electro-chemical detection of a bacterial pathogen, the device including a sample chamber and an electronic data module. The sample chamber includes electrical probes to detect pathogenic antigens in a sample containing the bacterial pathogen. The electrical probes detect a reaction voltage corresponding to an antigen-antibody reaction occurring when the pathogenic antigens come into contact with an antibody specific for pathogenic antigens present in a reaction medium in the sample chamber and contacted by the electrical probes. The electronic data module detects and processes electrical signals from the conductive electrical probes corresponding to an amount of the antigen present in the sample, wherein the reaction voltage is detected at the time of the reaction.

Detection and quantification of microbial colonization and biofilm formation on orthopedic explants would be important for deciding treatment interventions at the time of surgery. Methods and Systems for such treatments are shown that utilize various steps and kits to quickly generate confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM) images to allow for the detection and quantification. The explants are prepared by applying antibodies of both gram-positive and grain-negative for at least one period of time.

Described herein are variants of alpha-hemolysin having at least one mutation, such as a mutation to a positive charge. In certain examples, the mutation is selected from V149K, E287R, H35G, T109K, P151K, K147N, E111N, M113A, or combinations thereof in the mature, wild-type alpha-hemolysin amino acid sequence. The -hemolysin variants may also include a substitution at H144A and/or a series of glycine residues spanning residues 127 to 131 of the mature, wild-type alpha hemolysin. Also provided are nanopore assemblies including the alpha-hemolysin variants, the assembly having a decreased time-to-thread. The decreased time-to-thread, for example, increases DNA sequencing efficiency and accuracy.

A Raman spectroscopy based system and method for examination and interrogation provides a method for rapid and cost effective screening of various protein-based compounds such as bacteria, virus, drugs, and tissue abnormalities. A hand-held spectroscope includes a laser and optical train for generating a Raman-shifting sample signal, signal processing and identification algorithms for signal conditioning and target detection with combinations of ultra-high resolution micro-filters and an imaging detector array to provide specific analysis of target spectral peaks within discrete spectral bands associated with a target pathogen.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, system and method for conducting toxin activity assay using sedimentation. The toxin activity assay may include generating complexes which bind to a plurality of beads in a fluid sample. The complexes may include a target toxin and a labeling agent, or may be generated due to presence of active target toxin and/or labeling agent designed to be incorporated into complexes responsive to the presence of target active toxin. The plurality of beads including the complexes may be transported through a density media, wherein the density media has a lower density than a density of the beads and higher than a density of the fluid sample, and wherein the transporting occurs, at least in part, by sedimentation. Signal may be detected from the labeling agents of the complexes.

According to an embodiment, a method of producing (e.g., making) a membrane for detecting toxic shock syndrome toxins includes depositing a second antibody on a first zone of the membrane. The second antibody is reactive with an antibody complex to cause a first indication. The antibody complex includes a first antibody coupled to a TSST-1 antigen. The method also includes depositing a third antibody on a second zone of the membrane. The third antibody is reactive with a fourth antibody to cause a second indication.