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 describes novel immunogenic peptides obtained from a random library by selection for high affinity binding to monoclonal antibodies specific for Psa A epitopes. In addition, the peptides of the invention have the capability of serving as immunogens in a subject, thereby effectively eliciting the production of antibodies by the subject and additionally conferring protective immunity against infection by S. pneumoniae on the subject. The invention also relates to a selection method employed to obtain such peptides.   

Inventors: George Carlone, Edwin W Ades, Jacqueline Sampson, Jean A Tharpe, Joan L Zeiler, and Maria Westerink

CDC Reference Number: I-017-97/0

USPTO Serial Number: PCT/US99/04326

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