Novel streptococcus antigens

Abstract

Streptococcus proteins and polynucleotides encoding them are disclosed. Said proteins are antigenic and therefore useful vaccine components for the prophylaxis or therapy of streptococcus infection in animals. Also disclosed are recombinant methods of producing the protein antigens as well as diagnostic assays for detecting streptococcus bacterial infection.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to the full-length amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:67, or SEQ ID NO:68, wherein the isolated polypeptide elicits antibodies that specifically bind to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, and wherein the isolated polypeptide is capable of inducing an immune response to  Streptococcus.    
     
     
         33 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 32 , wherein the  Streptococcus  is  Streptococcus pneumoniae.    
     
     
         34 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 32  wherein the isolated polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:67, or SEQ ID NO:68. 
     
     
         35 . An immunogenic composition comprising the isolated polypeptide according to  claim 32  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 
     
     
         36 . The immunogenic composition according to  claim 35  further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. 
     
     
         37 . A method for inducing an immune response against  Streptococcus,  wherein said  Streptococcus  causes meningitis, otitis media, bacteremia or pneumonia infection in an individual, said method comprising administering to said individual the composition according to  claim 35 . 
     
     
         38 . A method for inducing an immune response against streptococcal infection in an individual susceptible to streptococcal infection, said method comprising administering to said individual the composition according to  claim 35 . 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein said individual is a mammal. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein said individual is a human. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein said streptococcal infection is a  S. pneumoniae,  group A  streptococcus  ( S. pyogenes ), group B  streptococcus  ( S. agalactiae ),  S. dysgalactiae,  or  S. uberis  infection. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein said streptococcal infection is a  S. pneumoniae  infection. 
     
     
         43 . A method for inducing an immune response against streptococcal infection in an individual susceptible to streptococcal infection, said method comprising administering to said individual the composition according to  claim 36 . 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said individual is a mammal. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said individual is a human. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said streptococcal infection is a  S. pneumoniae,  group A  streptococcus  ( S. pyogenes ), group B  streptococcus  ( S. agalactiae ),  S. dysgalactiae,  or  S. uberis  infection. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said streptococcal infection is a  S. pneumoniae  infection.