The present invention includes the complete genome sequence for the methanogen, Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, including polynucleotides which encode M. ruminantium polypeptides or peptides, as well as polynucleotides from non-coding regions. Also included are the encoded M. ruminantium polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed to these peptides or polypeptides, in addition to expression vectors and host cells for producing these peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and antibodies. The invention further includes methods and compositions for detecting, targeting, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells such as M. ruminantium cells, using one or more of the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, antibodies, expression vectors, and host cells.

The present invention relates to methods of treating blepharitis and dry eye by inhibiting the binding ability of lid flora bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, thus inhibiting biofilm formation and the increase in bacterial populations and densities that lead to quorum-sensing-gene activation and therefore, the production of inflammatory virulence factors.

For many diseases due to microbes or the like, proliferation of microbes themselves is a cause of a symptom. However, there were cases where a substance released by the microbes is a cause of a symptom. In such cases, when attempting to treat a disease with an antibody, it was necessary to obtain an antibody against an antigen that is a substance causing the disease. However, it was difficult to find the underlying substance causing the disease among substances released by the microbes. An antibody (polyclonal) binding to not only an antigen but also to a substance, which is secreted by the antigen and accelerates the deterioration of a symptom, is obtained by immunizing birds with a lysis solution produced from lysing microbial cells as an antigen. Further, an antibody obtained with a surface protein of a virus as an antigen is expected to inhibit an infection by a virus.

The inventive subject matter relates to a construct comprising antigens derived from multiple enterobacteria including Campylobacter jejuni capsule polysaccharide polymer, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli recombinant polypeptide construct and lipopolysaccharide from Shigella spp. The subject invention also relates to a method of inducing an immune response utilizing the inventive composition.

An antibody preparation suitable for intravenous administration in humans includes IgG, IgA and at least 5% IgM antibodies by weight of the total amount of antibodies. The preparation is prepared from human plasma, has specific complement activating activity, and, in an in vitro assay with human serum suitable to determine the ability of the antibody preparation to activate complement unspecifically, the antibody preparation generates substantially no C5a and/or substantially no C3a. The antibody preparation can have medical uses.

For many diseases due to microbes or the like, proliferation of microbes themselves is a cause of a symptom. However, there were cases where a substance released by the microbes is a cause of a symptom. In such cases, when attempting to treat a disease with an antibody, it was necessary to obtain an antibody against an antigen that is a substance causing the disease. However, it was difficult to find the underlying substance causing the disease among substances released by the microbes. An antibody (polyclonal) binding to not only an antigen but also to a substance, which is secreted by the antigen and accelerates the deterioration of a symptom, is obtained by immunizing birds with a lysis solution produced from lysing microbial cells as an antigen. Further, an antibody obtained with a surface protein of a virus as an antigen is expected to inhibit an infection by a virus.

The inventive subject matter relates to a construct comprising antigens derived from multiple enterobacteria including Campylobacter jejuni capsule polysaccharide polymer, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli recombinant polypeptide construct and lipopolysaccharide from Shigella spp. The subject invention also relates to a method of inducing an immune response utilizing the inventive composition.

The present invention in the fields of immunology and infectious diseases relates to opsonic and protective antibodies that are specific for Gram-positive bacteria, particularly to carbohydrate structures exposed on the surface of the bacteria. The invention includes monoclonal and chimeric antibodies, as well as fragments, regions and derivatives thereof. This invention also relates to the epitope to which the antibodies of the invention bind as well as the sequences, fragments, and regions of the epitopes. Both the antibodies and peptides that encompass the epitope, and regions and fragments thereof, may be used for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic applications.

The invention generally relates to methods of using compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, and magnets to isolate a pathogen from a body fluid sample.

An antibody preparation suitable for intravenous administration in humans includes IgG, IgA and at least 5 % IgM antibodies by weight of the total amount of antibodies. The preparation is prepared from human plasma, has specific complement activating activity, and, in an in vitro assay with human serum suitable to determine the ability of the antibody preparation to activate complement unspecifically, the antibody preparation generates substantially no C5a and/or substantially no C3a. The antibody preparation can have medical uses.