Group B
The present invention relates to antigens, more particularly antigens of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) ( S. agalactiae ) which may be useful to prevent, diagnose and/or treat streptococcal infections.
1. A chimeric polypeptide comprising two or more polypeptides, wherein each of the two or more polypeptides comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, provided that the two or more polypeptides are linked to form a chimeric polypeptide, wherein each of the two or more polypeptides are capable of eliciting an immune response against group B Streptococcus , and wherein each of the two or more polypeptides are capable of eliciting antibodies that specifically bind to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the chimeric polypeptide according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or adjuvant.
3. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the isolated polypeptide is capable of eliciting an immune response against group B Streptococcus , and wherein the isolated polypeptide is capable of eliciting antibodies that specifically bind to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEO ID NO:2.
4. The isolated polypeptide according to claim 3 wherein the isolated polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:2.
5. An isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
6. The isolated polypeptide according to claim 5 from which the N terminal methionine residue is deleted.
7. The isolated polypeptide according to claim 5 from which the leader peptide amino acid sequence is deleted.
8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 - 7 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or adjuvant.
9. A kit comprising the isolated polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 - 7 for detection or diagnosis of streptococcal infection.
10. A chimeric polypeptide comprising two or more polypeptides, wherein each of the two or more polypeptides comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, provided that the two or more polypeptides are linked to form a chimeric polypeptide.
11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the chimeric polypeptide according to claim 10 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or adjuvant.
12. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth at amino acid positions 43-1045 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the isolated polypeptide is capable of eliciting an immune response against group B Streptococcus , and wherein the isolated polypeptide is capable of eliciting antibodies that specifically bind to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
13. The isolated polypeptide according to claim 12 wherein the isolated polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth at amino acid positions 43-1045 of SEQ ID NO:2.
14. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth at amino acid positions 152-1453 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the isolated polypeptide is capable of eliciting an immune response against group B Streptococcus , and wherein the isolated polypeptide is capable of eliciting antibodies that specifically bind to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
15. The isolated polypeptide according to claim 14 wherein the isolated polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth at amino acid positions 152-1453 of SEQ ID NO:2.