Certain embodiments are directed to detection methods and methods of identifying detection targets for sensitive and specific laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor rickettsial infections during the earliest stages of the disease and to assess the degree of illness.

The invention relates to recombinant nucleic acid and polypeptides encoding collagenase I and collagenase II, methods for the preparation thereof and methods for the use thereof. The invention also encompasses methods related to releasing a composition comprising collagenase prior to therapeutic administration.

The present invention provides isolated proteins isolatable from a Pasteurella spp. such as P. multocida. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the proteins, and methods for making and methods for using the proteins.

Compositions and methods for the detection and diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis are disclosed. Provided are antibodies, or antigen binding fragment thereof, specific for tracheal colonization factor A (TcfA). Also provided are compositions comprising an anti-TcfA antibody of the instant invention and a carrier; and methods for inhibiting, treating, and/or preventing pertussis and/or a B. pertussis infection in a subject in need thereof are provided, comprising administering an anti-TcfA antibody of the instant invention to the subject.

A microfluidic device for detection of an analyte in a fluid is described. The microfluidic device comprises a substrate having a first surface defining entrances to one or more chambers defined in the substrate, surfaces of the chambers defining a second surface of the substrate, the first surface being modified for selective targeting and capture of at least one analyte to operably effect a blocking of the entrance to at least one of the chambers, and wherein a response characteristic of the microfluidic device is operably varied by the blocking of the entrance to the at least one of the chambers, thereby providing an indication of the presence of the analyte within the fluid.

Compositions and methods for the detection and diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis are disclosed. Provided are antibodies, or antigen binding fragment thereof, specific for tracheal colonization factor A (TcfA). Also provided are compositions comprising an anti-TcfA antibody of the instant invention and a carrier; and methods for inhibiting, treating, and/or preventing pertussis and/or a B. pertussis infection in a subject in need thereof are provided, comprising administering an anti-TcfA antibody of the instant invention to the subject.

Disclosed is a field effect transistor-based biosensor for detecting whole-cell bacteria which includes a source, a drain, and a biosensing member disposed between the source and the drain. The biosensing member includes at least one semiconductor wire, a surface modification layer, and a plurality of detecting elements. The semiconductor wire serves as a semiconductor channel interconnecting the source and the drain, and has a length so as to permit the biosensing member to capture the whole-cell bacteria. Also disclosed is a field effect transistor-based biosensor assembly including the biosensor.

Methods and kits for diagnosis of confirmatory diagnosis of a tick-borne infection, such as Lyme disease, is provided. The methods and kits include one or more multi-channel lateral flow immunoassay test strips. In an embodiment, the test strip comprises at least five individual, discrete fluid flow channels where each of the at least five channels includes one or more binding members (antigens) for detection of immunoglobulin antibodies against a Borrelia bacterium in a blood sample. The binding members (antigens) are, in one embodiment, selected from a group of immunoglobulin antibodies consisting of p18 (decorin-binding protein), p23, p28, p30, p39, p41 (flagellin), p45, p58, p66, p93, VlSE/C6 and p31. The kits include external controls selected from a container with a positive control, a container with a negative control, and both of a container with a positive control and a container with a negative control.

The invention relates to a method comprising a step of determining the number, concentration and/or proportion of T lymphocytes with a CD4.sup.+ CD8.sup.low phenotype and further expressing CCR6 and/or CXCR6, for (i) diagnosing, (ii) prognosing outcome of, or (iii) predicting the risk of developing a disease related to a decrease of F. prau. The invention also concerns the treatment of said disease by administering a population of these specific T lymphocytes. The Inventors have indeed identified two markers, CCR6 and CXCR6, enabling to select a population of F. prau-specific cells among CD4.sup.+ CD8.sup.low T lymphocytes, from a blood sample and without needing to assess their F. prauspecificity. T lymphocytes with a CD4.sup.+ CD8.sup.low CCR6+ CXCR6+ phenotype are for example significantly decreased in IBD patients. The disease related to a decrease of F. prauis particularly an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease.

A method of determining colorectal cancer status in an individual, which comprises abundance profiling of the individual's microbiome.