Preliminary Evidence for the Role of Fungi, Specifically Chaetomium, in Gulf War Illness.

Introduction: For veterans of the Persian Gulf War (1990-1991), dozens of possible causes for their illness have been proposed. We hypothesize that all may be correct. These may have weakened the immunity of the military personnel to fungal pathogens in the soil.

Thermostable cross-protective subunit vaccine against Brucella species.

A subunit vaccine candidate was produced from Brucella suis 145 (biovar 4; expressing both the A antigen of Brucella abortus and the M antigen of Brucella melitensis). The preparation consisted mostly of polysaccharide (PS; >90% [wt/wt]; both cell-associated PS and exo-PS were combined) and a small amount of protein (1 to 3%) with no apparent nucleic acids. Vaccinated mice were protected (these had a statistically significant reduction in bacterial colonization compared to that of unvaccinated controls) when challenged with representative strains of three Brucella species most pathogenic for humans, i.

Active immunity induced by passive IgG post-exposure protection against ricin.

Therapeutic antibodies can confer an instant protection against biothreat agents when administered. In this study, intact IgG and F(ab')2 from goat anti-ricin hyperimmune sera were compared for the protection against lethal ricin mediated intoxication. Similar ricin-binding affinities and neutralizing activities in vitro were observed between IgG and F(ab')2 when compared at the same molar concentration.

Conformation-dependent high-affinity potent ricin-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.

Ricin is a potential biothreat agent with no approved antidote available for ricin poisoning. The aim of this study was to develop potent antibody-based antiricin antidotes. Four strong ricin resistant hybridoma clones secreting antiricin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed.

Humanization and characterization of an anti-ricin neutralization monoclonal antibody.

Ricin is regarded as a high terrorist risk for the public due to its high toxicity and ease of production. Currently, there is no therapeutic or vaccine available against ricin. D9, a murine monoclonal antibody developed previously in our laboratory, can strongly neutralize ricin and is therefore a good candidate for humanization.

Evaluating Burkholderia pseudomallei Bip proteins as vaccines and Bip antibodies as detection agents.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a biothreat agent and an important natural pathogen, causing melioidosis in humans and animals. A type III secretion system (TTSS-3) has been shown to be critical for virulence. Because TTSS components from other pathogens have been used successfully as diagnostic agents and as experimental vaccines, it was investigated whether this was the case for BipB, BipC and BipD, components of B.

Research strategies for the treatment of biothreats.

Whether it is a layperson in the street or a politician in the Senate, there is widespread fear over the consequences of biothreats. In response to these fears, a wide range of treatments has been developed. These include antibiotics (conventional and unconventional uses), nucleic acids (analogues, antisense, ribozymes and DNAzymes), immunomodulators, antibodies, bacteriophage therapy and micro-encapsulation.