title: In silico analysis for identifying potential vaccine candidates against Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important causes of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. The increasing incidence of multiple antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains and the emergence of vancomycin resistant S. aureus strains have placed renewed interest on alternative means of prevention and control of infection. S. aureus produces a variety of virulence factors, so a multi-subunit vaccine will be more successful for preventing S. aureus infections than a mono-subunit vaccine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected three important virulence factors of S. aureus, clumping factor A (ClfA), iron-regulated surface determinant (IsdB), and gamma hemolysin (Hlg) that are potential candidates for vaccine development. We designed synthetic genes encoding the clfA, isdB, and hlg and used bioinformatics tools to predict structure of the synthetic construct and its stabilities. VaxiJen analysis of the protein showed a high antigenicity. Linear and conformational B-cell epitopes were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proteins encoded by these genes were useful as vaccine candidates against S. aureus infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In silico tools are highly suited to study, design, and evaluate vaccine strategies.
authors: Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Somayeh
authors: 0000-0001-6707-8070
authors: S
authors: Delfani
authors: Applied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Abbas Ali
authors: 0000-0001-7339-8257
authors: AA
authors: Imani Fooladi
authors: Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Ashraf Mohabati
authors: 0000-0002-1224-6134
authors: AM
authors: Mobarez
authors: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: 0000-0002-0208-7264
authors: M
authors: Emaneini
authors: Applied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Jafar
authors: 0000-0002-5155-4738
authors: J
authors: Amani
authors: Applied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Sedighian
keywords: Computer simulation; Staphylococcus aureus; Vaccines
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