Sepsis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sepsis, including details on septicemia, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment.

Streptococcus pneumoniae surface protein PcpA elicits protection against lung infection and fatal sepsis.

Glover DT, Hollingshead SK, Briles DE

Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Previous studies have suggested that pneumococcal choline binding protein A (PcpA) is important for the full virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and its amino acid sequence suggests that it may play a role in cellular adherence. PcpA is under the control of a manganese-dependent regulator and is only expressed at low manganese concentrations, similar to those found in the blood and lungs. PcpA expression is repressed under high manganese concentrations, similar to those found in secretions. In this study, we have demonstrated that PcpA elicits statistically significant protection in murine models of pneumonia and sepsis. In the model of pneumonia with each of four challenge strains, statistically fewer S. pneumoniae cells were recovered from the lungs of mice immunized with PcpA and alum versus mice immunized with alum only. The immunizations reduced the median CFU by 4- to 400-fold (average of 28-fold). In the model of sepsis using strain TIGR4, PcpA expression resulted in shorter times to become moribund and subcutaneous immunization with PcpA increased survival times of mice infected with wild-type PcpA-expressing pneumococci.

Published 20 May 2008 in Infect Immun, 76(6): 2767-76.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Sepsis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.