Disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and developing countries. Pneumococcal disease is very prevalent among the very young, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons. This invention includes a pneumococcal protein suitable for vaccine and diagnostic purposes. This invention includes methods of vaccination using unique the 37-kDa protein of S. pneumoniae surface adhesin A.   

Inventors: Jacqueline Sampson, Harold Russell, Jean A Tharpe, Edwin W Ades, and George Carlone

CDC Reference Number: E-157-91/5

USPTO Serial Number: 

Patent Number: 6,217,884 

License available for diagnostic applications only