A novel use of P.sub.44 as a marker for predicting or diagnosing anaplasmosis including a diagnostic composition and a diagnostic kit is disclosed. A diagnostic composition for anaplasmosis containing a P.sub.44 gene, a primer set or probe for detecting Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a kit for diagnosing anaplasmosis, and a method for providing information to diagnose infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum are also disclosed. P.sub.44, which is a novel biomarker for diagnosing anaplasmosis, is a multi-copy gene and exists in a large number of copies in the Anaplasma phagocytophilum genome, thus having the effect of detecting Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection at high sensitivity using only a small amount of DNA compared to conventional diagnostic marker genes. In addition, the primer set or probe for detecting and amplifying P.sub.44 is capable of providing rapid and easy detection of anaplasmosis with high specificity and sensitivity, making it appropriate for early detection of anaplasmosis.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for an infection by a pathogen expressing a CD47-like mimic protein on its surface. In particular, the methods comprise administering an agent that reduces the binding of the CD47 mimic protein on the pathogen to SIRPα on a phagocytic cell, wherein the agent is administered at an effective dose for increasing phagocytosis of the pathogen

C

A method, device and kit for detecting sepsis or bacteremia in a patient includes detecting peptidoglycan associated lipoprotein (Pal) from Gram-negative bacteria in the urine of the patient is disclosed.

A tetrasaccharide of formula I and a method of production thereof are provided. Furthermore, a conjugate comprising the tetrasaccharide and a molecule attached to the tetrasaccharide, preferably via its amine group, is also provided. Compositions, preferably immunogenic or vaccine compositions, comprising this tetrasaccharide or this conjugate are also provided. Such tetrasaccharides, conjugates, and compositions can be used for preventing or treating a disease caused by a Burkholderia infection in a subject, for inducing the production of anti-Burkholderia antibodies in a subject, or for diagnosing a Burkholderia infection in a subject. Preferably, the Burkholderia infection is an infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) or Burkholderiamallei (Bm); the disease is melioidosis or glander; and/or the anti-Burkholderia antibodies are anti-Burkholderia pseudomallei(Bp) antibodies or anti-Burkholderia mallei (Bm)

A saliva sensing device for detecting oral health and/or overall health includes a chemically treated test strip biomarker targeted to identify bacteria in the saliva. A breathalyzer for detecting bacteria in the mouth of a user includes a housing, a sensor, and an analyzer. The sensor is coupled to the housing and extends outwardly therefrom for placing in the mouth of user and for collecting a saliva sample. The analyzer is for testing saliva that contacts the sensor.

The disclosure, in some aspects, provides antigen-specific amino acid sequences for tick-borne relapsing fever Borrelia species.

The invention uses ELISA or similar assays for analysing a meningococcal vaccine. The assay uses antibodies which bind to meningococcal proteins within the vaccine, and in particular monoclonal antibodies which are bactericidal for meningococcus and/or which recognise conformational epitopes within the meningococcal proteins. By performing the assay on a series of dilutions of a test vaccine, and by comparing the results with those obtained using a reference vaccine of known potency, it is possible to determine the relative potency of the test vaccine. This value can be used as a parameter for determining whether a manufactured batch of a vaccine is suitable for release to the public, or whether it has experienced a production failure and so should not be used.

The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

The present invention relates to an immunoassay for the detection of Borrelia specific IgG, IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies in biological samples suspected of Lyme infection. The immunoassay can be performed via a standard immunoassay format or on an automated platform. In various embodiments, the immunoassay uses one or more Borrelia specific chimeric peptides VlsE-FlaB (designated pFlaB-mV), VlsE-ErpP (designated pErp59-mV), VlsE-P35 (designated pP35-mV) alone or in combination with one or more outer surface protein C (Osp C) types B or I, p58 and DbpA. Other aspects of the invention provide antigen/substrate combinations and compositions comprising combinations of the disclosed peptides and/or proteins for use in the immunoassays described herein.

Air flow systems, devices and methods for monitoring airborne agents include airborne agent collectors. Airborne agent collectors for collecting and detecting the presence and/or identification of an airborne agent(s) include a soluble and hydrophilic polycaprolactone (PCL) that has been treated with a base (e.g., a base having a pH greater than 8 (e.g., NaOH, NaHCO.sub.3, KOH, Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, and CA(OH).sub.2) and in some embodiments, also treated with a neutralizing agent for increasing hydrophilicity. Detection and identification of airborne agents captured by an airborne agent collector can be performed using any suitable analytical protocols. Such protocols are well known in the art, and include nucleic acid assays, protein assays (e.g., mass spectrometry), and bioassays (e.g., in vitro and in vivo assays). The airborne agent collectors can be used for the detection and identification of nucleic acid from cells or organisms of any type (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi) in fixed structures (e.g., homes, sports arenas, theaters, buildings such as offices, laboratories, hospitals, schools, airports, train stations, bus stations, etc.) and in mobile, portable devices or machines (e.g., aircraft, automobiles, air-freshener, air-purifier, air re-circulator, vacuum cleaner, etc.).