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. The present invention relates to recombinant lipidated PsaA proteins and recombinant constructs from which such lipidated PsaA proteins may be expressed. The invention also provides methods of preparation of lipidated PsaA proteins and use of such proteins in immunological compositions. Also provided are vaccines comprising immunogenic lipidated PsaA proteins and methods of use of such vaccines in the prevention and treatment of S. pneumoniae infection.   

Inventors: Edwin W Ades, George Carlone, Robert Huebner, Barun De, and Jacqueline Sampson

CDC Reference Number: I-011-97/0

USPTO Serial Number: 09/017,782

Patent Number:

License available for diagnostic applications only