TARGETING POLY-GAMMA-GLUTAMIC ACID TO TREAT STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS AND RELATED INFECTIONS

摘要

Immunogenic compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against S. epidermidis and other related staphylococci are provided. The immunogenic compositions can include immunogenic conjugates of poly-γ-glutamic acid (such asγDLPGA) polypeptides of S. epidermidis, or related staphylococci that express aγPGA polypeptide. TheγPGA conjugates elicit an effective immune response against S. epidermidis, or other staphylococci, in subjects to which the conjugates are administered. A method of treating an infection caused by a Staphylococcus organism that expresses cap genes is also disclosed. The method can include selecting a subject who is at risk of or has been diagonosed with the infection by the Staphylococcus organism which expressesγPGA from the cap genes. Further, the expression of aγPGA polypeptide by the organism can then be altered.