SHIGELLA IPAD PROTEIN AND ITS USE AS A VACCINE AGAINST SHIGELLA INFECTION

摘要

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for blocking en try of Shigella into a cell of an animal, to therefore providing protection against, or reduce the severity of Shigella infections. More particularly it relates to the use of the IpaD protein obtained from natural sources and/or through synthesis or recombinant technology, and conjugates thereof to indu ce neutralizing antibodies having protective activity against several seroty pes of Shigella, in particular S. flexneri. The composition of the invention is useful to prevent and/or treat shigellosis caused by a bacterium of the Shigella family.