The disclosed embodiments concern methods, devices, and systems for identifying candidate biomarkers useful for the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and screening and/or as targets for the treatment of diseases and conditions in subjects, in particular autoimmune and infectious diseases. The identification of candidate biomarkers is predicated on identifying discriminating peptides present on a peptide array, which can distinguish samples from different subjects having different health conditions by the binding patterns of antibodies present in the samples.

Provided herein are Purine Compounds of Formula (I) ##STR00001##
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers, isotopologues, or stereoisomers thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Purine Compound, and methods for treating or preventing malaria comprising the administration of an effective amount of a Purine Compound.

Identification of immunodominant Babesia microti antigens using genome-wide immunoscreening is described. Candidate antigens were screened against sera from patients with clinical babesiosis. Also described are diagnostic assays with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting B. microti-specific antibodies in patient samples using the identified immunodominant antigens.

The present invention relates to chimeric proteins, their uses and production method comprising native protein fractions from Leishmania infantum for the Visceral Leishmaniasis diagnosis. The invention also relates to nucleic acid, expression cassette, expression vector, host cell, visceral leishmaniasis diagnostic kit, visceral leishmaniasis diagnostic kit, visceral leishmaniasis diagnostic method, and vaccine composition.

Biomarker detection sensors for detecting disease-specific biomarkers, kits based thereon, methods for determining disease-specific biomarkers in body fluids and uses are presented. The sensors include a substrate having bound thereon metal nanoparticles arranged in branched two-dimensional structures and/or a two-dimensional lattice, and anti-biomarker receptors bound to the metal nanoparticles.

The present invention provides an in vitro method for concentrating infectious pathogens found in a biological sample obtained from an individual who is suspected of being infected with the pathogens. Provided herein is also an in vitro method for reducing or eliminating blood cells from a sample obtained from an individual suspected to being infected with an infectious pathogen. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing malaria and a method for determining if an individual is infected with a pathogen. Provided herein is also a concentrator and a kit for use with the methods.

Provided is an anti-Plasmodium falciparum HRP-II antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. The antibody comprises a heavy chain CDR1-3 shown in SEQ ID NO: 1-3 and a light chain CDR1-3 shown in SEQ ID NO: 4-6. Also provided are an application of the antibody and a method for preparing the antibody.

The invention relates to a method for labeling specifically living microorganisms in a sample comprising microorganisms, the method comprising the steps of: a) incubating said microorganisms of said sample with at least one modified monosaccharide compound comprising a first reactive chemical group capable to chemically react with a second reactive group, so that a residue bearing said first reactive group is incorporated into such microorganisms, and b) contacting said residue incorporated in the microorganisms, with a labeling molecule comprising a said second reactive group, for generating the chemical reaction of said first reactive group of said residue incorporated within said living microorganisms with said second reactive group of said labeling molecule, resulting in a covalent link, characterized in that the said modified monosaccharide compound has the following formula (I′), or a salt thereof: —X can be O, NH or S, preferably O and NH, and —R1 and R2 can be independently H, OH, NH.sub.2, OH and NH.sub.2 being substituted or not by protecting groups thereof, preferably substituted by alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, formyl or imidoyl groups, and —R3 is H or an alkyl chain in C.sub.1 to C.sub.4, each carbon being substituted or not substituted by OH or NH.sub.2 substituted or not by protecting groups thereof, preferably by alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, formyl or imidoyl groups, and —at least one of X, R1, R2 and R3 groups, preferably R3, being substituted by a said first reactive group Ra. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a stationary phase for the purification of polyclonal anti-Giardia IgG and IgY antibodies, as well as a method for purifying polyclonal anti-Giardia IgG and IgY antibodies by affinity chromatography. The invention also relates to the polyclonal anti-Giardia IgG and IgY antibodies purified by affinity chromatography, which specifically bind to the antigenic proteins CWP1, alpha-giardin 7.3 and kinesin 3. In an additional aspect, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing giardiasis by detection of Giardia in a specific sample, and a kit for diagnosing giardiasis in biological and environmental samples.

Identification of immunodominant Babesia microti antigens using genome-wide immunoscreening is described. Candidate antigens were screened against sera from patients with clinical babesiosis. Also described are diagnostic assays with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting B. microti-specific antibodies in patient samples using the identified immunodominant antigens.