Encapsulated Streptococcus Compositions and Methods for Pneumococcal Vaccine, Probiotic, and Diagnostic Assay Development

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) em>bacteria, or pneumococcus, can cause many types of illnesses. These range from ear and sinus infections to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis. Pneumococci are surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule, which is thought to help it evade the immune system. Presently, over 90 known serotypes ofS. pneumoniae em> have been identified, of which only a minority produce the majority of pneumococcal infections; a serotype is defined by a unique pneumococcal capsule structure. Currently available vaccines contain antigens made from capsular polysaccharides of 10, 13, or 23 commonS. pneumoniae em> serotypes.CDC has discovered encapsulated strains of commensal Streptococcus species,S. mitis, S. oralis and S. infantis, em> that have capsules that are identical to pneumococcal capsules. From this, researchers developed compositions and methods from the species ’ biosynthetic capsular genes which show promise for protecting people against pneumococcal disease, either by using these strains as vaccines or probiotics or through development of diagnostic assays. Initial results show cross-protection against eightS. pneumoniae em> serotypes, including serotype 1, a leading cause of invasive pneumococcal disease globally outside of the US. The capsule components or a modified version of the commensal Streptococcus species could be used to develop a novel live, inactivated or a sub-unit va...

Source: NIH OTT Licensing Opportunities - February 22, 2019 Category: Research Authors: ajoyprabhu3 Source Type: research