Detection, prevention, and treatment of anthrax and other infectious diseases

摘要

Compositions and methods for the detection, prevention, or treatment of anthrax or other infectious diseases. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for immunizing humans or animals against Bacillus anthracis or other capsulated pathogens. The methods include administering a capsular polypeptide of a pathogen of interest and a CD40 agonist to a human or animal. The capsular polypeptide or the CD40 agonist is administered in such an amount or frequency that an immunoprotective response can be elicited in the human or animal against the pathogen of interest. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of using passive immunization with anti-capsular polypeptide antibodies to prevent or treat infections caused by Bacillus anthracis or other pathogens. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods useful for diagnosis of anthrax by detection of capsular polypeptide in serum or other biological samples.

主权项

1. A method of diagnosing infection by a PGA producing pathogen in a subject from a vertebrate species, comprising:
assaying soluble PGA in a biological sample obtained from the subject using an anti-PGA antibody, the assay generating a detectable signal if the level of soluble PGA in the sample exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount is 140 pg/ml.