Development of a Bacillus subtilis-based rotavirus vaccine.

Bacillus subtilis vaccine strains engineered to express either group A bovine or murine rotavirus VP6 were tested in adult mice for their ability to induce immune responses and provide protection against rotavirus challenge. Mice were inoculated intranasally with spores or vegetative cells of the recombinant strains of B. subtilis.

Efficacy, heat stability and safety of intranasally administered Bacillus subtilis spore or vegetative cell vaccines expressing tetanus toxin fragment C.

Bacillus subtilis strains expressing tetanus toxin fragment C (TTFC) were tested as vaccine candidates against tetanus in adult mice. Mice received three intranasal (IN) exposures to 10(9) spores or 10(8) vegetative cells of B. subtilis expressing recombinant TTFC.

A DNA oligonucleotide microarray for detecting human astrovirus serotypes.

Human astroviruses have been shown in numerous studies to be an important cause of gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. The present communication addresses their characterization by use of oligonucleotide microarray hybridization. The system developed consists of an RT-PCR using primers of low degeneracy capable of detecting all eight serotypes of human astroviruses.