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. epiderrnidis and other related staphylococci are provided. The immunogenic compositions can include immunogenic conjugates of poly-?-glutamic acid (such as ?DLPGA) polypeptides of S. epidermidis, or related staphylococci that express a ?PGA polypeptide. The ?PGA 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 expresses ?PGA from the cap genes. Further, the expression of a ?PGA polypeptide by the organism can then be altered.