title: The Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan protects mice against the pathogen and eradicates experimentally induced infection.
abstract: Staphylococcus aureus, in spite of antibiotics, is still a major human pathogen causing a wide range of infections. The present study describes the new vaccine A170PG, a peptidoglycan-based vaccine. In a mouse model of infection, A170PG protects mice against a lethal dose of S. aureus. Protection lasts at least 40 weeks and correlates with increased survival and reduced colonization. Protection extends into drug-resistant (MRSA or VISA) and genetically diverse clinical strains. The vaccine is effective when administered - in a single dose and without adjuvant - by the intramuscular, intravenous or the aerosol routes and induces active as well as passive immunization. Of note, A170PG also displays therapeutic activity, eradicating staphylococci, even when infection is systemic. Sustained antibacterial activity and induction of a strong and rapid anti-inflammatory response are the mechanisms conferring therapeutic efficacy to A170PG.
authors.affiliation: University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capparelli
authors.forename: Nunzia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nocerino
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Medaglia
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blaiotta
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iannelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic