University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Techlab, Inc.

North Carolina State University

Uva Patent Foundation

Richard Littleton Guerrant

Timothy L MacDonald

Tracy Dale Wilkins

David Maxwell Lyerly

James Hunter Boone

Manasses C Fonteles

Guodong D Fang

Michael Paul Timko

Thomas Eric Ballard, Jr

Cirle Alcantara Warren

Paul S Hoffman

Thomas Allen Miller

Todd Robert Klaenhammer

Barry J Marshall

Evelyn Durmaz

William H Cooper

Amelia G Lee

Glynis L Kolling

Nathan M Thielman

Aldo A Lima

John Hudson Moore, Ii

Aldo M Lima

Edward Van Opstal

infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Unfortunately, antibiotic therapy remains as the standard treatment for this antibiotic-induced disease and relapses are common. Antibiotic treatment typically is given for 10 to 14 days for initial or second episode of CDI. For recurrent episodes, more prolonged courses are recommended. It is disclosed herein that lower dose or shorter course of the antimicrobial treatment is sufficient to treat the disease and prevent recurrent disease by enabling a good immunologic response to infection, and perhaps also by better preserving normal flora, thus protecting against relapses or reinfection.

Compositions and methods for treating clostridium infection and preventing recurrence of infection

The invention provides novel antimicrobial chemical entities based on a nitrothiazolide backbone that exhibit antibacterial and antiparasitic action against a wide range of human pathogens. The new classes of compounds show extended action against Gram positive bacteria including MRSA drug resistant pathogens. In the Gram-positive organisms, they specifically target and functionally inhibit microbial attachment to surfaces and biofilm formation. In Gram-negative bacteria, including enteroaggregativestrains, these compounds function as pilicides by inhibiting the assembly of pilin subunits into adhesive filaments. Several of these compounds show potent antimicrobial action against Gram positive bacteria, perhaps involving novel targets. Many of the benzothiophene derivatives exhibit antimicrobial activity in the low micrograms per ml range and in blocking biofilm formation in the nanomolar range; ranges considered are well within the range of utility as therapeutics.

Broad spectrum benzothiophene-nitrothiazolide and other antimicrobials

Methods and compositions for targeted delivery of biotherapeutics are provided. The compositions comprise bile-sensitivebacteria modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Biotherapeutic agents released by thebacteria disclosed herein include AQ and AQR rich peptides. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject abacterium modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Administration of thebacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The bacterium may be modified to express and release AQ or AQR rich peptides which subsequently inhibit cellular apoptosis or reduce mucosal damage. Thus, methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders includinginfection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

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A method for aiding in differentiating irritable bowel syndrome from inflammatory bowel disease by determining the level of total endogenous human lactoferrin in clinical specimens, such as feces, mucus and bile, wherein an elevated level of lactoferrin substantially precludes diagnoses of IBS and other noninflammatory etiologies, and a kit usable in such method are provided. Further provided is a method for quantitating the level of total endogenous human lactoferrin in clinical specimens, such as feces, mucus and bile, to monitor gastrointestinal inflammation in persons having inflammatory bowel disease.

Method for diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome and monitoring inflammatory bowel disease

Method for monitoring gastrointestinal inflammation in persons with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)

Method for differentiating irritable bowel syndrome from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and for monitoring persons with IBD using total endogenous lactoferrin as a marker

The invention provides a bioproduction of glutamine rich peptides. These peptides are used for rehydration and nutrition therapy in patients and for enhanced nutrition in animals. The peptides may be used as individual peptides or combined with other peptides in oligopeptides or proteins. Compositions of glutamine rich peptides and nucleic acid sequences for producing such peptides, as well as methods of production and use, are described.

Biological production of stable glutamine, poly-glutamine derivatives in transgenic organisms and their use for therapeutic purposes

The administration of the PAF antagonists BN 52021 and SR 27417, in combination with cyclooxygenase antagonist indomethacin are disclosed as effective in inhibiting the secretory effects caused by Cholera toxin.

Method of inhibiting secretory effects caused by Cholera

The invention relates to the treatment fluid secretion caused by Cholera toxin that can be blocked through the administration of PAF antagonists BN 52021 and SR 27417.

Method of inhibiting secretory effects caused by cholera

A method for the treatment of dehydration or nitrogen deficiency-based malnutrition is provided which involves administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound selected from oligopeptides formed from the coupling of one or more amino acids with glutamine, the product of coupling glucose with glutamine, the product of coupling glucose and one or more amino acids with glutamine, or the product from acylating glutamine with a carboxylic acid having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Stable glutamine derivatives for oral and intravenous rehydration and

The invention relates to the treatment of antibiotic associated colitis, typically due to Clostridium difficile using the Platelet Activating Factor antagonists WEB 2170, SR 27417 or BN 52021, or the cyclooxygenase antagonist indomethacin. The PAF antagonists BN 52021 and SR 27417 and the cyclooxygenase antagonist indomethacin were effective in inhibiting the secretory effects caused by C. difficile Toxin A and by Cholera toxin.

Method of treating clostridium difficile colitis and cholera

An in vitro test for determining the presence of leukocytes in a fecal sample which is sensitive to the numbers of fecal leukocytes typically found in inflammatory diarrheal specimens, by testing the fecal sample with an assay utilizing an antibody for lactoferrin.

In vitro test for fecal leukocytes

A method of enrichment and isolation of urease producing organisms from a contaminated specimen by first homogenizing the contaminated specimen in water, then introducing the homogenized contaminated specimen into a solution of urea in an acid, wherein some of the organisms are killed by the acidic medium and remaining organisms are protected from acid attack by creating a protective ammonia by breaking down the urea, and plating the remaining organisms onto a medium which contains antibiotics inhibitory to some of the remaining organisms, but not inhibitory to organisms to be isolated.

Compositions and methods for the enrichment and isolation of

Hemorrhagic fluid secretion and histologic damage to the intestinal mucosa by C. difficile toxin is blocked by the use of phospholipase inhibitors.

Growing community of inventors

Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Richard Littleton Guerrant