[Federal Register: June 21, 1995 (Volume 60, Number 119)]
[Notices]
[Page 32305]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Availability of Non-Exclusive, Exclusive, or Partially Exclusive
Licensing of U.S. Patent Application Concerning a Test for Antibodies
in Stool Specimens

AGENCY: U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, DOD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 37 CFR 404.6, announcement is made of the
availability of U.S. Patent Application SN 08/376,977, entitled ``Test
for Antibodies in Stool Specimens,'' and filed January 23, 1995, for
licensing. This patent has been assigned to the United States
Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army.

ADDRESSES: Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command,
ATTN: Command Judge Advocate, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702-5012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John F. Moran, Patent Attorney, 301-619-2065 or telefax 301-619-
7714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This invention provides a method for testing
clinical samples suspected of containing systemic or mucosal antibodies
to V. cholerae by coupling specific antigen to magnetic beads and
exposing said beads to specimens suspected of containing specific
antibodies. The method is particularly valuable for detecting mucosal
antibodies in stool and can be used for detection of infection,
indicating the immune status of individuals, and for epidemiological
tracking.
While assays such as ELISA are available for quantitating a
systemic immune response, means for evaluating mucosal immune responses
are less well developed when though it is believed that the immune
response to V. cholerae is predominantly controlled by the mucosal
immune system. Because of the rapid nature of the assay and the
immediate treatment of the sample with protease inhibitors, problems
related to specimen processing are minimized. The method of invention
is rapid, inexpensive, can be performed by minimally trained personnel,
and provides a means for testing of clinical samples in either a
laboratory or field setting.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 95-15100 Filed 6-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M