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 present invention discloses functionalized nanomembranes, a method for preparation and their use. The functionalized nanomembrane comprises a) a first layer comprising a nanomaterial, b) a second layer comprising a biorepulsive material, the second layer being attached to at least one side of the first layer, and c) affinity groups, attached to the second layer.

Medical test cards for detecting analytes are provided including a substantially planar body, an analyte detection means, an opening feature, and an optical code. The analyte detection means is enclosed within the planar body and is configured to provide a colorimetric change when a portion of the analyte detection means is contacted with the analyte. The opening feature is configured to provide access to the analyte detection means and the optical code includes information identifying the analyte detection means. Uses of such medical test cards include accessing the analyte detection means enclosed within the planar body by using the opening feature and contacting the analyte detection means with the sample. The optical code is read using an imaging device to identify the analyte detection means and the analyte detection means is imaged following contact with the sample using the imaging device.

This invention concerns compositions and methods of treating or diagnosing inflammatory disorders and other disorders, as well as compositions and methods of treating HIV.

The instant invention relates to a qualitative predictive method, to a method, use and kit applied to the early differential diagnosis of the most prevalent forms of bacterial and viral meningitis, enabling to detect and distinguish the different forms of meningitis. The invention uses a qualitative predictive method based on combined detection and sequential analysis of the presence/absence of at least three out of four specific biomarkers.

A method is provided for analyzing a sample including a population of biological entities using at least one microfabricated device. A plurality of the microwells on the microfabricated device are each uniquely indexed, and loaded with a sample such that at least some microwells each include more than one cell of a biological entity. The microfabricated device was incubated at predetermined conditions, and a selected genetic material of the cells of the biological entities obtained from the incubation is amplified to obtaining amplicons. An aggregate of the amplicons are sequenced obtain sequencing data, based on which and the indexing of the microwells, an identification of the biological entities present in each of the plurality of microwells is obtained. Such identification can then be used to determine a relationship between different types of biological entities in the sample.

Therapeutic and prophylactic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis are provided, as are related pharmaceutical compositions. Methods provide for the early detection of subjects at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, thus allowing for early intervention, and include methods of sample preparation.

Described herein, are methods of detecting neutralizing antibodies that bind to Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) toxin B (TcdB), prognosing the disease severity of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and the risk of primary and recurrent CDI, as well as providing a guide for clinical practice. Also described herein are kits for performing the methods of this disclosure.

The present invention provides for engineered molecular opsonins that may be used to bind biological pathogens or identify subclasses or specific pathogen species for use in devices and systems for treatment and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, blood-borne infections or sepsis. An aspect of the invention provides for mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an abundant natural serum protein that is part of the innate immune system. The ability of this protein lectin to bind to surface molecules on virtually all classes of biopathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans) make engineered forms of MBL extremely useful in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases and sepsis.

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