Passive immunization with antiserum to a nontoxic alpha-toxin mutant from Staphylococcus aureus is protective in a murine model.
A nonhemolytic, nonlethal variant of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin constructed via oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and containing a single amino acid substitution (H-35 to L) was used to immunize a rabbit. The resulting antiserum was cross-reactive with wild-type alpha-toxin and neutralized its hemolytic activity in vitro. Passive immunization of mice with rabbit antiserum conferred protection against lethal challenge with wild-type alpha-toxin and against acute lethal challenge with a high-alpha-toxin -producing S. aureus strain. H35L alpha-toxin may be useful as a protective immunogen in S. aureus vaccine studies.
Menzies
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BE
Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
Kernodle
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DS
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D017354:Point Mutation; D011817:Rabbits; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C021091:staphylococcal alpha-toxin