Simple, Quantitative Sensitive High-throughput Antibody Detection for Lyme Disease

This technology is for compositions and methods for diagnosis of Lyme disease. Currently, Lyme disease is diagnosed by clinical exam and a history of exposure to endemic regions. Although, laboratory tests may aid diagnosis, the best tests currently available are slow and labor intensive and require understanding of the test, and infection stage. A two-step antibody based test process is currently the recommended laboratory test. The first step is either an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), or an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA).

Vaccine for Cats to Block Toxoplasma Gondii Oocyst Shedding and Transmission

Toxoplasma gondii is the zoonotic causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease of significant concern for pregnant persons and livestock. A member of the phylum Apicomplexa, Toxoplasma gondii can infect almost any cell type found in mammals and birds. There are multiple transmission pathways, including consumption of undercooked meat from infected animals, consumption of unwashed plants, contaminated water supplies, blood transfers, and congenital transfer. Felines are considered the definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii.

Recombinant IgG Monoclonal Antibody-Based Detection of Taenia Antigen In Humans And Pigs

The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, is endemic in most of Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The risk of infection is increased in regions where pigs are raised in closed proximity to humans, with migration from endemic regions being directly proportional to the prevalence of infection in high-income countries. Human infection by T. solium occurs following oral ingestion of eggs passed in human feces from an infected carrier. The larvae can travel anywhere in the human body.

Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) Infection through Detection of CD153 Expression Level.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection continues to be the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent and poses significant global health challenges. Past research has shown that CD4 T cells are essential for resistance to Mtb infection, and for decades it has been thought that IFN(?) production is the primary mechanism of CD4 T cell-mediated protection.

Lymphatic Filariasis Biomarkers for Detection and Surveillance

Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis; LF) is a neglected tropical disease that affects over 120 million people throughout the tropics and sub­tropics of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and parts of the Caribbean and South America. LF results from infection with the filarial parasites Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia malayi. Current methods of confirming active infection by W. bancrofti or B. malayi include microscopy and immunoassays using serum/plasma extracted from the patient.

Methods for Treating or Ameliorating Fibrosis by Inhibiting the Interaction between IL-21 Receptor (IL-21R) and IL-21

This invention includes methods for treating or ameliorating fibrosis by inhibiting the interaction between IL-21 Receptor (IL-21R) and IL-21 using either anti-IL-21R monoclonal antibodies (or binding fragments of anti-IL-21R mAbs), anti-IL-21 monoclonal antibodies (or binding fragments of anti-IL-21 mAbs) or soluble IL-21R (or binding fragments of IL-21R). It is believed that the TH2 immune response, induced by IL-21, plays a major role in the in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis.

Novel Antigen for Use as Vaccine Against Nematode Infection

This invention describes a new vaccine against Strongyoides stercoralis, which establishes a parasitic infection that affects an estimated 100-200 million people worldwide. The potential for fatal disease associated with S. stercoralis infection and the difficulty in treating hyperinfection underscores the need for prophylactic vaccines against the disease. This vaccine uses S. stercoralis immunoreactive antigen (SsIR); a novel antigen capable of providing 70-90 % protection for mice immunized with the antigen.

Recombinant NIE Antigen from Strongyloides stercoralis

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode endemic that affects an estimated 30 to 100 million people worldwide. Many of these individuals may be asymptomatic for decades. The present invention discloses a NIE recombinant antigen that can be used in improved assays and diagnostics for S. stercoralis infection. The NIE antigen is the only one that is non-cross-reactive with sera from humans with other related filaria infections. The NIE antigen can be utilized as a skin test antigen for immediate hypersensitivity as well as for use in ELISA or other assays.

Compositions and Methods for Detecting Loa loa

Loa loa is a filarial nematode estimated to infect 3-13 million people in Central and Western Africa. In parts of Africa, mass administration of ivermectin is common for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis control. However, some individuals infected with Loa loa microfilariae in high densities are known to experience post-ivermectin severe adverse events, such as encephalopathy, coma, or even death. Therefore, diagnostic tools that can accurately identify and differentiate Loa loa microfilariae from other filarial infections are needed.
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