[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 32305] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-15100] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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