The present invention provides a Mitrecin A polypeptide useful in prevention and treatment of one or more bacteria. Also provided is a method to kill or prevent growth of one or more bacteria comprising contacting the one or more bacteria with a Mitrecin A polypeptide. The target bacteria can be selected from the group consisting of a Gram-positive bacterium, a Gram-negative bacterium, or both. In one embodiment, the present invention is drawn to a polynucleotide encoding a Mitrecin A polypeptide, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a host cell comprising the polynucleotide, or a composition comprising the Mitrecin A polypeptide, the polynucleotide, the vector, or the host cell.

Detection devices comprising microbe-targeting molecules (MTMs) and engineered MTMs in the form of a lateral flow assay (LFA) are provided. Methods of using the detection devices in the detection and/or identification of microbes and microbe components in a sample are also provided.

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

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides vaccines, pharmaceutical compounds and formulations for diagnosing, preventing, treating or ameliorating Group A Streptococcus (GAS), Group C Streptococcus (GCS), or Group A Streptococcus (GGS), infections, or other pathogenic Streptococcus infections. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions such as diagnostic tests, assays, immunoassays and test strips, and methods, for detecting or diagnosing the presence of a Streptococcal infection, e.g., Group A Streptococcus (GAS), Group C Streptococcus (GCS), or Group A Streptococcus (GGS), infections, or other pathogenic Streptococcus infections.

Antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof directed against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) surface determinant antigens and secreted toxins are disclosed. Methods of detecting, diagnosing and treating S. aureus using the antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are also provided.

Compositions and methods for nucleic acid isolation from an environmental or biological sample comprising nucleic acid-analysis interferents, particularly from microbiome-containing samples, are provided.

The object is to provide a lysis method, lysis treatment solution, detection method using an immunochromatographic device, and detection kit comprising an immunochromatographic device for detecting whether causative bacterium of mastitis is a staphylococcus or not by using milk of a livestock animal. There is provided a method for lysing a staphylococcus, which comprises the step of mixing a lysis agent containing a lytic enzyme, and at least one kind of ampholytic surfactant, and preferably further containing at least one kind of nonionic surfactant, with milk obtained form a livestock animal to lyse a staphylococcus existing in the milk. The lytic enzyme is preferably lysostaphin.

Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules, kits comprising the same and uses thereof. Some particular embodiments of the microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules comprise a carbohydrate recognition domain of mannose-binding lectin, or a fragment thereof, linked to a portion of a Fc region. In some embodiments, the microbe-targeting molecules or microbe-binding molecules can be conjugated to a substrate, e.g., a magnetic microbead, forming a microbe-targeting substrate (e.g., a microbe-targeting magnetic microbead). Such microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates and the kits comprising the same can bind and/or capture of a microbe and/or microbial matter thereof, and can thus be used in various applications, e.g., diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes such as sepsis in a subject or any environmental surface. Microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates can be regenerated after use by washing with a low pH buffer or buffer in which calcium is insoluble.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for rapid detection of microorganisms such as Listeria spp. in a sample. A genetically modified bacteriophage is also disclosed which comprises an indicator gene in the late gene region. The specificity of the bacteriophage, such as Listeria-specific bacteriophage, allows detection of a specific microorganism, such as Listeria spp. and an indicator signal may be amplified to optimize assay sensitivity.

Systems, methods, and devices for detecting infections in a clinical sample are provided. Small-volume clinical samples obtained at a point-of-service (POS) location and may be tested at the POS location for multiple markers for multiple diseases, including upper and lower respiratory diseases. Samples may be tested for cytokines, or for inflammation indicators. Dilution of samples, or levels of detection, may be determined by the condition or past history of a subject. Test results may be obtained within a short amount of time after sample placement in a testing device, or within a short amount of time after being obtained from the subject. A prescription for treatment of a detected disorder may be provided, and may be filled, at the POS location. A bill may be automatically generated for the testing, or for the prescription, may be automatically sent to an insurance provider, and payment may be automatically obtained.