Human antibody response towards the pneumococcal surface proteins PspA and PspC during invasive pneumococcal infection

Vaccine. 2007 Jan 4;25(2):341-5. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.07.028. Epub 2006 Aug 4.

Abstract

IgG antibodies against pneumococcal surface protein A, family 1 (PspA1) and family 2 (PspA2), protein C (PspC), and protein Hic were investigated in 41 patients with invasive pneumococcal disease. Pre-existing antibody levels against the four pneumococcal proteins were not significantly different from those found in 40 patients with non-pneumococcal bacteremia or 80 healthy controls. However, during convalescense a strong immune response developed especially against PspA, and there was a high degree of cross-reactivity between PspA- and PspC-antibodies. Our findings on immunogenicity and cross-reactivity suggest that in a future pneumococcal protein based vaccine, only a limited number of proteins could be sufficient.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
  • Carrier Proteins / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumococcal Infections / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Hic protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Membrane Proteins
  • pneumococcal surface protein A