Live attenuated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains induce serotype-independent mucosal and systemic protection in mice.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important human pathogen causing both mucosal (otitis media and pneumonia) and systemic (sepsis and meningitis) diseases. Due to increasing rates of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need to improve prevention of pneumococcal disease. Two currently licensed vaccines have been successful in reducing pneumococcal disease, but there are limitations with their use and effectiveness. Another approach for prevention is the use of live attenuated vaccines. Here we investigate the safety and protection induced by live attenuated strains of S. pneumoniae containing combinations of deletions in genes encoding three of its major virulence determinants: capsular polysaccharide (cps), pneumolysin (ply), and pneumococcal surface protein A (pspA). Both the cps and p

SUBMITTER: Roche AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1865756 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature