1373 results about "Gram-positive bacteria" patented technology

An isolated Bacillus strain LSSAO1 is provided. When fed to a bird, this and other Bacillus strains described herein provide benefits to the birds. For example, administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can increase low G+C, gram positive bacteria in the gastrointestinal flora of the bird. These type of bacteria are increased by antibiotics and include beneficial Clostridium. Administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can also inhibit pathogen in the bird, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium. These benefits can enhance feed conversion in poultry. Useful combinations of Bacillus strains and methods of using one or more Bacillus strain are also provided.

A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood. The extracorporeal system includes an anti-microbial device to kill at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator / filtration unit to remove approximately 90% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms as well as the patient's cells and include endotoxins from gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from gram negative and gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and brandykinin.

The present invention provides a sonoporation-based method that can be universally applied for delivery of compounds into Gram positive bacteria. Gram positive bacteria which can be transformed by sonoporation include, for example, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Acetobacterium, and Clostridium. Compounds which can be delivered into Gram positive bacteria via sonoporation include nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, viruses, small organic and inorganic molecules, and nano-particles.

The invention relates to the identification of a new adhesin islands within the genomes of several Group A and Group B Streptococcus serotypes and isolates. The adhesin islands are thought to encode surface proteins which are important in the bacteria's virulence. Thus, the adhesin island proteins of the invention may be used in immunogenic compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against GAS or GBS infection. For example, the invention may include an immunogenic composition comprising one or more of the discovered adhesin island proteins.

Novel protected cyclopeptide intermediates are prepared from polymyxin B are used to synthesize new peptide antibiotics. Intermediates are readily derivatized and deprotected to provide new families of antibiotics, which have potent anti-bacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria; but also are useful and potent against gram-positive bacteria.

The present invention encompasses monoclonal and chimeric antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro and enhance protection from lethal infection in vivo. The mouse monoclonal antibody has been humanized and the resulting chimeric antibody provides a previously unknown means to diagnose, prevent and / or treat infections caused by gram positive bacteria bearing lipoteichoic acid. This invention also encompasses a peptide mimic of the lipoteichoic acid epitope binding site defined by the monoclonal antibody. This epitope or epitope peptide mimic identifies other antibodies that may bind to the lipoteichoic acid epitope. Moreover, the epitope or epitope peptide mimic provides a valuable substrate for the generation of vaccines or other therapeutics.

A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator / filtration unit to remove approximately 50–75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.

An isolated Bacillus strain LSSAO1 is provided. When fed to a bird, this and other Bacillus strains described herein provide benefits to the birds. For example, administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can increase low G+C, gram positive bacteria in the gastrointestinal flora of the bird. These type of bacteria are increased by antibiotics and include beneficial Clostridium. Administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can also inhibit pathogen in the bird, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium. These benefits can enhance feed conversion in poultry. Useful combinations of Bacillus strains and methods of using one or more Bacillus strain are also provided.

An aqueous composition adapted to kill bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm states is lethal toward a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as other microbes. The composition, which is slightly to moderately acidic, includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. The composition can be applied directly to a site of bacterial growth. Even when the bacteria is in biofilm form, the surfactant component(s) begin to kill the bacteria before the macro-molecular matrix is removed or dislodged from the site.

The present invention is a substantially purified sortase-transamidase enzyme from Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. A specific sortase-transamidase enzyme disclosed has a molecular weight of about 29,076 daltons and catalyzes a reaction that covalently cross-links the carboxyl terminus of a protein having a sorting signal to the peptidoglycan of a Gram-positive bacterium, where the sorting signal has a a motif of NPQ / KTN / G therein. Variants of the enzyme, methods for cloning the gene encoding the enzyme and expressing the cloned gene, and methods of use of the enzyme, including for screening for antibiotics and for display of proteins or peptides on the surfaces of Gram-positive bacteria, are also disclosed.

An electrolysis method is described for generating an aqueous solution of copper citrate that has bacteriocidal activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Gram positive bacteria are known to be relatively more sensitive to the bacteriocidal activities of copper ions than are Gram negative bacteria. Situations exist in which a disinfectant that is relatively more toxic for Gram positive bacteria will be advantageous over a more broadly active disinfectant, such as that provided by most other disinfectants. In particular, a disinfectant that is relatively selective for Gram positive bacteria could help preserve various non-pathogenic Gram negative microbial populations. The residual Gram negative bacteria can potentially compete with, and thereby lessen the chances of the reintroduction of pathogenic Gram positive bacteria, such as MRSA, Streptococcus, Clostridium difficile and Listeria monocytogenes.

The present invention provides methods and compositions involving sortase-transamidases, including sortase B, and polypeptides that include a signal sorting sequence of NPQ / KTN / G. Methods of screening for inhibitors of Gram-positive bacteria as well as therapeutic, preventative, and research methods focusing on Gram-positive bacteria are also provided.

The present invention is a substantially purified sortase-transamidase enzyme from Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The enzyme having a molecular weight of about 23,539 or about 29,076 daltons and catalyzing a reaction that covalently cross-links the carboxyl terminus of a protein having a sorting signal to the peptidoglycan of a Gram-positive bacterium, the sorting signal having: (1) a motif of LPX3X4G therein; (2) a substantially hydrophobic domain of at least 31 amino acids carboxyl to the motif; and (3) a charged tail region with at least two positively charged residues carboxyl to the substantially hydrophobic domain, at least one of the two positively charged residues being arginine, the two positively charged residues being located at residues 31-33 from the motif, wherein X3 is any of the twenty naturally-occurring L-amino acids and X4 is selected from the group consisting of alanine, serine, and threonine, and wherein sorting occurs by cleavage between the fourth and fifth residues of the LPX3X4G motif. Variants of the enzyme, methods for cloning the gene encoding the enzyme and expressing the cloned gene, and methods of use of the enzyme, including for screening for antibiotics and for display of proteins or peptides on the surfaces of Gram-positive bacteria, are also disclosed.

Polymers are disclosed that are chemically modified to retard bacterial growth. Such modified polymers (e.g. ePTFE and polypropylene) are produced by first creating acid groups on the polymer surface through reactions with an anhydride. The acid groups are then linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG) through esterification or other reactions such as amidation. Preferably, at least two different molecular weight PEG species are employed. The antimicrobial surface is completed by linking antibiotics (e.g. β-lactam antibiotics) to the PEG extensions. One preferred embodiment of such a modified polymer is produced using ePTFE, maleic anhydride (MA), and penicillin (PEN) to yield PEN-PEG-MA-ePTFE, which inhibits gram-positive bacteria. The PEG spacer is critical for PEN function in this context, since PEN-ePTFE is ineffective against bacterial growth. Another preferred embodiment incorporates ampicillin (AMP) and a heterobifunctional PEG, HOOC—(CH2—CH2—O)n—NH2, to yield AMP-PEG-MA-ePTFE. This latter example inhibits both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.

The present invention encompasses a novel S. aureus bioconjugate vaccine. More generally, the invention is directed to Gram-positive and other bioconjugate vaccines containing a protein carrier, at least one polysaccharide such as a capsular Gram-positive polysaccharide, and, optionally, an adjuvant or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The instant invention also includes methods of producing Gram-positive and other bioconjugate vaccines. An N-glycosylated protein is also provided that contains one or more polysaccharides such as Gram-positive polysaccharides. The invention is additionally directed to engineered prokaryotic organisms comprising nucleotide sequences encoding a glycosyltransferase of a first prokaryotic organism and a glycosyltransferase of a second prokaryotic organism. The invention further includes plasmids and prokaryotic cells transformed with plasmids encoding polysaccharides and enzymes which produce an N-glycosylated protein and / or bioconjugate vaccine. Further, the invention is directed to methods of inducing an immune response in a mammal comprising administering said bioconjugate vaccines.

The present invention generally relates to anti-microbial formulations and methods of their use and production. The formulations of the present invention are effective as broad spectrum anti-bacterial agents with efficacy against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as anti-viral agents with efficacy against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, and as anti-fungal agents with efficacy against both vegetative and spore forms of microorganisms and against biofilms. The present invention includes anti-microbial compositions that have at least one surfactant, at least one acid, at least one peroxide (preferably hydrogen peroxide), peracetic acid, and water. The anti-microbial Formulations of the present invention may additionally contain an organic salt. The organic salt may be a salt of the same acid that is used in the Formulation or a salt of a different acid. Methods for production and use of the inventive compositions are disclosed.

The invention provides a CP7 strain that can produce new antibacterial polypeptides that have strong antibacterial effect to gram-positive bacteria and are small peptides with 23 amino acid residues by the determination and whose amino acid sequence is: LLLAQPTAAVRGRCQVQRYLLA A. The invention also provides the application of the new antibacterial polypeptide in the preparation of the anti gram-positive bacteria drug.

The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions which provide enhanced immediate as well as residual anti-viral and antibacterial efficacy. The antimicrobial compositions of the present invention provide previously unseen residual effectiveness against Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, and viruses, fungi, and improved immediate germ reduction upon use. These compositions comprise: a) a safe and effective amount of a benzoic acid analog; b) a safe and effective amount of a metal salt; and c) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the acid and salt wherein said composition has a pH of from about 1 to about 7. The invention further relates to methods of use for the present compositions as well as antimicrobial products which incorporate the compositions.

Antimicrobial compositions that provide enhanced immediate and residual anti-viral and antibacterial efficacy against rhinovirus, rotavirus, coronovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and combinations thereof. More specifically, antimicrobial compositions comprising an organic acid or organic acid mixture and a short-chain anionic surfactant having at least one of a large head group; a branched alkyl chain and an unsaturated alkyl chain. Further, products incorporating the antimicrobial compositions of the present invention and methods of using the antimicrobial compositions and products are disclosed herein.

Therapeutic antimicrobial compositions and methods for providing enhanced immediate and residual anti-viral and antibacterial efficacy against rhinovirus, rotavirus, coronovirus, respitory syricytial virus, Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and combinations thereof. More specifically, therapeutic antimicrobial compositions comprising an organic acid or organic acid mixture and a short-chain anionic surfactant having at least one of a large head group; a branched alkyl chain and an unsaturated alkyl chain, and therapeutic methods of use thereof.

The invention relates to an andrographolide derivative, which has the structure as shown in a general formula I: wherein, R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different hydrogen, substituted or non-substituted organic acid radical, inorganic acid radical, alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, while at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is R-lipoic acid or S-lipoic acid or the mixture of R-lipoic acid and S-lipoic acid or the corresponding dihydrolipoic acid or acetylcysteine radical of R-lipoic acid or S-lipoic acid; the derivative has good anti-tumor effect, and the derivative can cause apoptosis of tumor cells, directly eliminate gram positive bacteria, staphylococcus aureus and sensitivities MRSA5676 and MRSA5677, inhibit the QS system of gram negative bacteria and pseudomonas aeruginosa and inhibit and damage the formation of the bio-film of pseudomonas aeruginosa; the product has prominent hypoplycemic effect and is suitable for the preparation of the medicines that can cure cancers, inflammations, diabetes mellitus and bacterial and viral infection.

The invention relates to bacterial choline binding proteins (CBPs) which bind choline. Such proteins are particularly desirable for vaccines against appropriate strains of Gram positive bacteria, particularly streptococcus, and more particularly pneumococcus. Also provided are DNA sequences encoding the bacterial choline binding proteins or fragment thereof, antibodies to the bacterial choline binding proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the bacterial choline binding proteins, antibodies to the bacterial choline binding proteins suitable for use in passive immunization, and small molecule inhibitors of choline binding protein mediated adhesion. Methods for diagnosing the presence of the bacterial choline binding protein, or of the bacteria, are also provided. In a specific embodiment, a streptococcal choline binding protein is an enolase, which demonstrates strong affinity for fibronectin.

Antimicrobial compositions containing a singlet oxygen-generating agent and a lubricant exhibit very effective antimicrobial activity against a variety of organisms, including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and yeast. The compositions have particular utility as beverage container lubricants. The passage of a container along a conveyor is antimicrobially lubricated by applying a lubricant to at least a portion of the container-contacting surface of the conveyor or to at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the container and generating singlet oxygen in situ. This method provides effective control of microbes on a beverage conveyor line, at rates comparable to purely chemical biocidal systems.

A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator / filtration unit to remove approximately 50–75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.

The invention relates to a natural preservative antistaling agent, which comprises epsilon-polylysine and alcohol extractions of anise, black plum, Cinnamomum cassia, and purple perilla, and can improve the cell membrane permeability of microorganism, thereby causing microorganism restricted substance leak, and can inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacterium, fungus, and saccharomycete in fresh-cut vegetables, and forming a layer of protective film on the surface of fruits and vegetables. The invention can prevent the intrusion of microbe, and reduces spoilage. When utilized in fresh-cut vegetables, the preservative antistaling agent can reduces the rotten rate and avoid the shortcoming that general chemical preservative needs lower PH, the invention is particularly suitable to the fresh-keeping of low acid foods such as vegetables, and can reduce loss in weight which is caused by water evaporation, and can be used for fresh-keeping of fresh-cut vegetables, inhibits oxidation and browning reaction and nutrient loss, prolongs the goods shelf life, and is a preservative antistaling agent which is safe and has no side effect. The invention can prolong the shelf life by 2-3 days.

The present invention provides methods, compositions and articles of manufacture useful for the prophylactic and therapeutic amelioration and treatment of gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, and related conditions. The invention provides compositions and methods incorporating and utilizing Streptococcus suis derived bacteriophage lysins, particularly PlySs2 and / or PlySs1 lytic enzymes and variants thereof, including truncations thereof. Methods for treatment of humans are provided.

The present invention relates to bacterial luciferase expression cassettes suitable for conferring bioluminescence properties on Gram-positive bacteria, cells transformed with such cassettes, and methods of making and using such cassettes.

Methods of the invention include the isolation of intact, viable microorganism(s) from positive blood culture (“PBC”) samples for use in downstream analyses such as identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (“AST”). The methods involve collecting a portion of the PBC sample, adding a choline-containing solution, lysing the blood cells, isolating the viable microorganism, and performing downstream analysis of the isolated, viable microorganism. The methods can be applied to a variety of gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and / or yeast, and particularly to strains of S. pneumoniae.

Methods are provided for the rapid identification of essential or conditionally essential DNA segments in any species of haploid cell (one copy chromosome per cell) that is capable of being transformed by artificial means and is capable of undergoing DNA recombination. This system offers an enhanced means of identifying essential function genes in diploid pathogens, such as gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.