The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Scott E Johnson

George M Carlone

Edwin W Ades

Jacquelyn S Sampson

Danny L Jue

The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa pneumococcal surface adhesion A protein (PsaA) from. The invention also provides purified polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa protein from and the nucleic acids comprising unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein. Additionally, multiple antigenic peptides that provide protection againstchallenge are provided. These multiple antigen peptides comprise the peptides that immunospecifically bind to the monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are vaccines comprising such immunogenic peptides, and methods of conferring protective immunity againstinfection by administering therapeutic composition comprising the immunogenic peptides of the invention. Also provided are methods of detecting the presence ofin a sample using antibodies or antigens and methods of preventing and treatinginfection in a subject.

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The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa pneumococcal surface adhesion A protein (PsaA) from. Also provided are isolated nucleic acids comprising a unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein. The invention also provides purified polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa protein from and the nucleic acids comprising unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein. The invention further provides monoclonal antibodies which selectively bind PsaA. In addition, peptides are provided that immunospecifically bind to the monoclonal antibodies of the invention, and that are immunogenic againstinfection. Additionally, multiple antigenic peptides that provide protection againstchallenge are provided. These multiple antigen peptides comprise the peptides that immunospecifically bind to the monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are vaccines comprising such immunogenic peptides, and methods of conferring protective immunity againstinfection by administering therapeutic composition comprising the immunogenic peptides of the invention. Also provided are methods of detecting the presence ofin a sample using antibodies or antigens and methods of preventing and treatinginfection in a subject. In addition, a method of identifying the sequence of a peptide potentially capable of eliciting protective immunity against a pathogenic microorganism is provided.

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Lilburn, GA, United States of America

Scott E Johnson