Methods for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) are described. The methods can include detecting the presence of one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of subjects suspected of having IA.

Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

A composition and method of detecting an analyte in a sample using the composition, the composition including: a liquid that includes water; a plurality of first hollow glass bubbles in the liquid; a plurality of covalently attached first affinity groups that are covalently attached to at least some of the plurality of first hollow glass bubbles; and a plurality of first detector compound molecules not covalently bonded to the plurality of first hollow glass bubbles; wherein the first detector compound molecules include a first detectable group that is detected at a first wavelength; and wherein the first hollow glass bubbles have: a density of less than 0.60 gram/mole; a span of less than 1.0; and a plurality of covalently attached first affinity groups.

A diagnostic test is described using Aspergillus flavus fungal cultures, EBV or their combination to induce leukemic cell surface markers in mononuclear cells of former or current leukemia patients. Unlike aflotoxin, which indiscriminately induces leukemic transformation, the compositions used were specific to leukemia-predisposed patients, but not other cancers or normal controls. The test identifies survivors of ALL and can detect propensity for development of leukemia in susceptible individuals. An ELISA technique using the described fungal products or EBV and combination can detect individuals with history of leukemia and not controls. These findings have implications for the etiology of leukemias and lymphomas and use for mass screening, detection of susceptible individuals to leukemia and potential vaccination.

Methods for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) are described. The methods can include detecting the presence of one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of subjects suspected of having IA.

A method of verifying the efficacy of a disinfection process is provided. The method includes flowing a liquid disinfectant into an indicator device that has a plurality of indicator microorganisms disposed therein, the indicator microorganisms comprising or capable of producing a detectable enzyme activity; contacting the indicator microorganisms with the liquid disinfectant for a predetermined minimum first period of time at a first temperature; after contacting the indicator microorganisms with the liquid disinfectant for the first period of time at the first temperature, contacting the indicator microorganisms for a second period of time with a detection medium comprising a detection reagent; and during or after the second period of time, detecting a quantity of the detectable enzyme activity that was not inactivated by the contact with the disinfectant. The indicator device is also provided.

The present invention provides the in-vitro use of at least one in-vivo-target antigen of Aspergillus fumigatus for selective activation, detection and/or analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus specific CD4.sup.+ T cells in a sample comprising cells, wherein said at least one in-vivo-target antigen reveals an immune reactivity characterized by i) the in vivo existence of antigen-specific T cells comprising more than 60% memory T cells and ii) said antigen-specific T cells further comprise T cells able to produce IFN-gamma upon stimulation at a frequency between 15% and 80% and/or IL17 upon stimulation at a frequency between 5% and 30%. Said at least one in-vivo-target antigen may be selected from the group consisting of antigens Scw4, Pst1, Shm2, GliT and TpiA or fragments thereof. Also provided are a method, a composition, and a kit thereof.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for an infection by a pathogen expressing a CD47-like mimic protein on its surface. In particular, the methods comprise administering an agent that reduces the binding of the CD47 mimic protein on the pathogen to SIRPα on a phagocytic cell, wherein the agent is administered at an effective dose for increasing phagocytosis of the pathogen

C

Disclosed herein are methods for detecting a biological or chemical entity in a sample, wherein the biological or chemical is associated with extracellular vesicles. The methods disclosed comprise the steps of (a) processing the sample, (b) using a detection assay to detect the presence of extracellular vesicles and to isolate the extracellular vesicles, (c) processing the extracellular vesicles to expose or release the biological or chemical entity, and (e) detecting the biological or chemical entity released from the extracellular vesicle. In certain embodiments, the extracellular vesicles are associated with proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, lipids, nucleic acids or other cellular components. The detection methods are useful for identifying the presence of microbial antigens related to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aspergillus species, Fusarium species, Coccidioides species, Cryptococcus species, and Histoplasma species.

Disclosed is a method for detecting aflatoxin B1 based on fluorescent copper nanoparticles, belonging to the technical fields of analytical chemistry, materials science and nano biosensing. In the disclosure, β-CD@DNA-Cu NMs are prepared by using Y-shaped DNA as a template, ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and β-CD as a fluorescence stabilizing and enhancing agent. Then, a ratiometric fluorescent probe is constructed based on the β-CD@DNA-Cu NMs. Finally, the detection of AFB1 with high sensitivity, high selectivity and high accuracy is achieved by using the fluorescent probe. According to the method of the disclosure, in linear ranges of 0.03-10 ppb and 10-18 ppb, a ratio value of I.sub.433 nm/I.sub.650 nm and a concentration of AFB1 exhibit a good linear relationship respectively, and a limit of detection is 0.012 ppb (S/N=3). Metal ions Ca.sup.2+ may be replaced with Yb.sup.3+, Y.sup.3+, Er.sup.3+ and Pt.sup.2+, which are also suitable for increasing sensitivity of AFB1 in rice.