Patent
A negatively-charged Staphylococcus antigen contains amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine as a major carbohydrate component. The antigen is common to many coagulase-negative strains of Staphylococcus , including S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus , and S. hominis. Staphylococcus strains that carry the antigen include many clinically significant strains of Staphylococcus . The antigen and antibodies to the antigen are useful in kits and assays for diagnosing Staphylococcus infection. Vaccines of the antigen and of whole cells that carry the antigen also are disclosed.
1. An isolated hyperimmune globulin containing antibodies directed against a Staphylococcus epidermidis antigen that (a) comprises amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine in an α configuration, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically binds with antibodies to a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain deposited under ATCC 202176.
2. An isolated monoclonal antibody directed against a Staphylococcus epidermidis antigen that (a) comprises amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine in an α configuration, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically binds with antibodies to a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain deposited under ATCC 202176.
3. An isolated antibody directed against a Staphylococcus epidermidis antigen that (a) comprises amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine in an α configuration, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically binds with antibodies to a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain deposited under ATCC 202176.
4. The isolated antibody of claim 3 , wherein the antibody is a non-human antibody.
5. The isolated antibody of claim 3 , wherein the antibody is a human antibody.
6. An immunotherapy method comprising a step of administering to a subjects:
an isolated hyperimmune globulin containing antibodies directed against a Staphylococcus epidermidis antigen that (a) comprises amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine in an α configuration, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically binds with antibodies to a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain deposited under ATCC 202176;
an isolated monoclonal antibody directed against a Staphylococcus epidermidis antigen that (a) comprises amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine in an α configuration, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically binds with antibodies to a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain deposited under ATCC 202176; or
an isolated antibody directed against a Staphylococcus epidermidis antigen that (a) comprises amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine in an α configuration, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically binds with antibodies to a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain deposited under ATCC 202176.
7. The isolated hyperimmune globulin according to claim 1 , the isolated monoclonal antibody according to claim 2 , or the isolated antibody of claim 3 , wherein the antigen comprises 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside as said N-acetylated hexosamine is 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside.
8. The isolated hyperimmune globulin according to claim 1 , the isolated monoclonal antibody according to claim 2 , or the isolated antibody of claim 3 , wherein the antigen comprises the amino acids serine, alanine, aspartic acid/asparagine, valine, and threonine.
9. The isolated hyperimmune globulin according to claim 1 , the isolated monoclonal antibody according to claim 2 , or the isolated antibody of claim 3 , wherein the antigen comprises the amino acids serine, alanine, aspartic acid/asparagine, valine, and threonine in a molar ratio of approximately 39:25:16:10:7, respectively.
10. The isolated hyperimmune globulin according to claim 1 , the isolated monoclonal antibody according to claim 2 , or the isolated antibody of claim 3 , wherein the antigen is conjugated to an immunocarrier.
11. The isolated hyperimmune globulin according to claim 1 , the isolated monoclonal antibody according to claim 2 , or the isolated antibody of claim 3 , wherein the antigen is conjugated to an immunocarrier that is a recombinantly-produced, non-toxic mutant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A.
12. A kit for detecting the presence of anti- Staphylococcus epidermidis antibody in a sample, comprising:
an isolated monoclonal antibody directed against a Staphylococcus epidermidis antigen that (a) comprises amino acids and a N-acetylated hexosamine in an α configuration, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically binds with antibodies to a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain deposited under ATCC 202176; and
instructions for mixing said monoclonal antibody with a sample suspected of containing Staphylococcus epidermidis -specific antigen and monitoring said mixture for binding between said monoclonal antibody and Staphylococcus epidermidis -specific antigen in said sample.
13. A kit as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said isolated monoclonal antibody is immobilized on a solid matrix.