Immunization of Mice with Combinations of Pneumococcal Virulence Proteins Elicits Enhanced Protection against Challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae

AD Ogunniyi, RL Folland, DE Briles… - Infection and …, 2000 - Am Soc Microbiol
AD Ogunniyi, RL Folland, DE Briles, SK Hollingshead, JC Paton
Infection and immunity, 2000Am Soc Microbiol
The vaccine potential of a combination of three pneumococcal virulence proteins was
evaluated in an active-immunization–intraperitoneal-challenge model in BALB/c mice, using
very high challenge doses of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The proteins evaluated were a
genetic toxoid derivative of pneumolysin (PdB), pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), and
a 37-kDa metal-binding lipoprotein referred to as PsaA. Mice immunized with individual
proteins or combinations thereof were challenged with high doses of virulent type 2 or type 4 …
Abstract
The vaccine potential of a combination of three pneumococcal virulence proteins was evaluated in an active-immunization–intraperitoneal-challenge model in BALB/c mice, using very high challenge doses of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The proteins evaluated were a genetic toxoid derivative of pneumolysin (PdB), pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), and a 37-kDa metal-binding lipoprotein referred to as PsaA. Mice immunized with individual proteins or combinations thereof were challenged with high doses of virulent type 2 or type 4 pneumococci. The median survival times for mice immunized with combinations of proteins, particularly PdB and PspA, were significantly longer than those for mice immunized with any of the antigens alone. A similar effect was seen in a passive protection model. Thus, combinations of pneumococcal proteins may provide the best non-serotype-dependent protection against S. pneumoniae.
American Society for Microbiology