Pneumococcal serotypes
Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6C, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→3) ribitol (5→phosphate}. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.
1. A composition comprising a purified polysaccharide comprising the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→3) ribitol (5→phosphate}.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polysaccharide is conjugated to a carrier.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the carrier is a protein.
4. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the carrier is a bead.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polysaccharide is produced by a bacterium expressing the capsule gene locus having the nucleotide sequence of FIG. 17 (SEQ ID NO:43).
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polysaccharide is produced by an isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae 6C, wherein said Streptococcus pneumoniae 6C has a capsular polysaccharide having the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→3) ribitol (5→phosphate}.