Recombinant fusion protein vaccine containing
A novel vaccine and methods of preventing and treating C. difficile infection in a patient is described. The vaccine is comprised of a fusion protein (denoted FliCD) comprised of the FliC and FliD from C. difficile and joined by a linker sequence. Administration of the vaccine, as well as anti-FliCD serum, has been shown to prevent C. difficile infection as well as treat existing infections.
1 . A fusion protein comprising:
a portion of at least one flagellin protein (FliC) from a Gram-positive bacterium; and
a portion of at least one cap protein (FliD) from a Gram-positive bacterium;
wherein the Gram-positive bacterium is from the genus Clostridioides;
wherein the fusion protein has a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.
2 . The fusion protein of claim 1 , wherein the Gram-positive bacterium is Clostridioides difficile ( C. difficile ).