Treatment of streptococcal infections

Abstract

Immunogenic compositions and methods of treating a Streptococcus pneumoniae infection are described herein.

1 .- 75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . A method of treating a  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection in a mammal comprising the step of administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one PhtX protein to the mammal. 
     
     
         77 . The method of treatment of  claim 76  wherein the PhtX protein is selected from the group consisting of PhtA, PhtB, PhtD and PhtE. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the PhtX protein is PhtD. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection occurs in a lung. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection occurs in a lung and the treatment reduces the bacterial load in the lungs. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection occurs in a middle ear. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection is septicaemia, bacteraemia, meningitis, otitis media or pneumonia. 
     
     
         84 . An immunogenic composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an isolated PhtX protein for use in the treatment of a  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection occurs in a mammal in an environment where the free concentration of Zn 2+  and/or Mn 2+  is sufficiently low to upregulate the expression of at least one PhtX protein in the  Streptococcus pneumoniae.    
     
     
         85 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 84  wherein the PhtX protein is selected from the group consisting of PhtA, PhtB, PhtD and PhtE. 
     
     
         86 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 85  wherein the PhtX protein is PhtD. 
     
     
         87 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 84  wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection occurs in a lung. 
     
     
         88 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 84  wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection occurs in a middle ear. 
     
     
         89 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 84  wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection is septicaemia, bacteraemia, meningitis, otitis media or pneumonia.