The present application is generally directed to novel pneumococcal polypeptide antigens and nucleic acids encoding such antigens, and immunogenic compositions comprising such antigens for treating and preventing pneumococcal infection. The present invention further provides method of using the antigens to elicits an immune response (e.g., IL-17A response, a T cell-mediated and/or B-cell-mediated immune responses). The present invention also provides methods of prophylaxis and/or treatment of pneumococcal-mediated diseases, such as sepsis, comprising administering an immunogenic composition including one or more of a combination of pneumococcal antigens or functional fragments thereof as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more pneumococcal antigens can be present in a polysaccharide conjugate. The compositions induce an anti-pneumococcus immune response when administered to a mammal. The compositions can be used prophylactically to vaccinate an individual and/or therapeutically to induce a therapeutic immune response to an infected individual.

The present invention discloses a method for preserving a probiotic composition, including: providing a bacterial cell suspension, which is one or more bacterial cell suspensions of a bacterium or Saccharomyces boulardii; mixing the bacterial cell suspension with a sodium alginate solution or an alginic acid solution; and adding the mixture to a calcium ion solution until the mixture is immobilized in a shape. The technology of the present invention has the effects of long-term preservation at room temperature and resistance to high temperature, and can be applied to ordinary bacterial strains, without being limited to a small number of bacterial species able to form endospore, and without requiring the strains to be frozen for preservation. The method of the present invention can be applied to the preparation of aquatic feeds, animal feeds, or probiotics that human beings need.

The present invention discloses a method for preserving a probiotic composition, including: providing a bacterial cell suspension, which is one or more bacterial cell suspensions of a bacterium or Saccharomyces boulardii; mixing the bacterial cell suspension with a sodium alginate solution or an alginic acid solution; and adding the mixture to a calcium ion solution until the mixture is immobilized in a shape. The technology of the present invention has the effects of long-term preservation at room temperature and resistance to high temperature, and can be applied to ordinary bacterial strains, without being limited to a small number of bacterial species able to form endospore, and without requiring the strains to be frozen for preservation. The method of the present invention can be applied to the preparation of aquatic feeds, animal feeds, or probiotics that human beings need.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a composition and method of using the composition for oral delivery of a bioactive agent to a subject. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one bioactive agent layered over a substrate and a method of reducing zoonotic infectious disease by administering the composition to a subject. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to a method of preparing the composition.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a composition and method of using the composition for oral delivery of a bioactive agent to a subject. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one bioactive agent layered over a substrate and a method of reducing zoonotic infectious disease by administering the composition to a subject. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to a method of preparing the composition.

An object of the present invention is to provide immunogenic compositions for protection against S. pneumoniae, in particular against S. pneumoniae serogroup 9, while limiting the number of conjugates. The present invention thereforerelates to new immunogenic compositions for use in pneumococcal vaccines and to vaccination of human subjects, in particular infants and elderly, against pneumoccocal infections using said immunogenic compositions.

The present invention provides a Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis isolate WFLU-12 with the accession number o KCTC 13180BP, and a use thereof.

The present invention provides a Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis isolate WFLU-12 with the accession number o KCTC 13180BP, and a use thereof.

The present invention relates generally to glycoconjugates comprising a saccharide covalently conjugated to a carrier protein through a spacer containing ((2-oxoethyl)thio)). In an aspect the invention provides oxo-eT linked glycoconjugates comprising a saccharide covalently conjugated to a carrier protein through a ((2-oxoethyl)thio) spacer having the formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein: A is a group (C═X).sub.m wherein X is S or O and m is 0 or 1; B is a bond, O, or CH.sub.2; and when m is 0, B can also be (C═O); R is a C.sub.2-C.sub.16 alkylene, C.sub.2-C.sub.16 heteroakylene, NH—C(═O)—C.sub.2-C.sub.16 alkylene, or NH—C(═O)—C.sub.2-C.sub.16 heteroakylene, wherein said alkylene and heteroalkylene are optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 groups independently selected from COOR′ where R′ is selected from H, methyl, ethyl or propyl. The invention further relates to immunogenic compositions comprising such glycoconjugates, and to methods for the preparation and use of such glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides therapeutic methods and compositions for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. In particular, methods are provided for increasing protective antibody levels induced by pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide. Immunogenic compositions are also provided comprising one or more pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens and an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide.