Methods for using focused light scattering techniques for the optical sensing of biological particles suspended in a liquid medium are disclosed. The optical sensing enables one to characterize particles size and/or distribution in a given sample. This, in turn, allows one to identify the biological particles, determine their relative particle density, detect particle shedding, and identify particle aggregation. The methods are also useful in screening and optimizing drug candidates, evaluating the efficacy and dosage levels of such drugs, and in personalized medicine applications.

The disclosure features pharmaceutical compositions, methods, and kits featuring dosing regimens and CD101, or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt or neutral form thereof (e.g., CD101 acetate).

The present invention includes a novel method and system for identification of microorganisms in samples that proteins and other biological material from non-microorganism sources (e.g., proteins of mammalian origin) that can interfere with identification of the microorganisms. The methods and systems described herein include use of a single-use chromatography medium to purify intact proteins prior to mass spectrometry analysis. The chromatography medium and the methods described herein can rapidly and efficiently remove of a substantial portion of interfering biological material (e.g., mammalian proteins) from a crude cell lysate while preserving high signal strength and removing enough of the interfering protein(s) to allow for identification of the microorganism(s) by mass spectrometry analysis.

The invention provided Mucorales CotH antibodies, polypeptides, encoding nucleic acid molecules, and uses thereof. The Mucorales CotH antibodies, polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids disclosed herein can be advantageously used to diagnose, treat or prevent fungal conditions, in particular mucormycosis.

An Aspergillus infection is diagnosed in a patient by detecting in a sample a proteinaceous antigen derived from mycelium of a pathogenic Aspergillus strain, wherein the sample is contacted with a first antibody binding specifically to said antigen and wherein any antigen bound to said first antibody is detected by way of a non-membrane based immunoassay, preferably selected from an ELISA and a bead-based assay. An antibody binding to a proteinaceous antigen derived from mycelium of a pathogenic Aspergillus strain is used for increasing the reliability of an immunoassay or the diagnosis of an Aspergillus infection in a patient. A further method includes coating a diagnostic device with a first antibody binding specifically to a proteinaceous antigen derived from mycelium of a pathogenic Aspergillus strain.

Disclosed is a composition for extracting mycotoxins or aflatoxins from a food sample. The methods using the composition to detect and analyze the aflatoxins are also provided.

The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of a bacterial and/or fungal cell in a sample through detecting the presence of nicotinamidase activity or nicotinamidase, wherein the presence of nicotinamidase activity or nicotinamidase indicates the presence of a bacterial and/or fungal cell in the sample. The invention also relates to a method for monitoring bacterial and/or fungal cell contamination in a cell of tissue culture comprising detecting the presence of nicotinamidase activity or nicotinamidase in the cell or tissue culture.

An antibody that is used to detect the presence of the Chondrostereum purpureum fungus in a plant sample, where the antibody specifically binds to the endolipogalacturonase enzyme produced by Chondrostereum purpureum (anti-endoPG from now). A kit and a method to detect fungal antigens, particularly, to detect the presence of the silverleaf disease (caused by the Chondrostereum purpureum fungus) in fruit trees, by means of detection of the endoPG enzyme through the binding of said antigen to the antibody, functionalized with gold nanoparticles, where the binding is detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or an immunochromatographic lateral flow assay.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for correctly measuring zygomycota. The present inventors have found that conventionally difficult zygomycota measurement can be performed through subjecting an untreated specimen to an acid treatment. The present invention provides a method for measuring zygomycota, the method including measuring zygomycota in a specimen that was subjected to an acid treatment; an agent for preparing a specimen for measurement of zygomycota; a method for preparing a specimen for measurement of zygomycota; and a reagent kit for measuring zygomycota.

Fungal infections are difficult to diagnose. The most common filamentous fungal infection, aspergillosis, carries with it a high mortality. Culture of the organism is difficult and obtaining samples, e.g., though a lung biopsy, sometimes causes morbidity. Biomarkers that indicate early infection in it development are sought after. One such biomarker is detection of galactomannan (GM), a polysaccharide that is attached to hyphal cell walls and secreted during growth of the organism. Galactomannan is excreted in urine. Disclosed herein is a lateral flow assay comprising monoclonal antibodies that recognize specific residues of Aspergillus fumigates for detecting GM in urine samples to provide a point-of-care detection device to allow for frequent screening and early diagnosis in patients at high risk for infection.