Abstract: Pneumococcal pilus subunit RrgB has at least three clades. Serum raised against a given clade is active against pneumococci which express that RrgB clade, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two clades i.e. there is intra-clade cross-protection, but not inter-clade cross-protection. Thus an immunogenic composition can include at least two different clades of RrgB to improve strain coverage against pilus-containing pneumococci. These multiple clades may be present in the immunogenic composition as separate polypeptides or may be fused as a single polypeptide chain.

Abstract: Pneumococcal pilus subunit RrgB has at least three clades. Serum raised against a given clade is active against pneumococci which express that RrgB clade, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two clades i.e. there is intra-clade cross-protection, but not inter-clade cross-protection. Thus an immunogenic composition can include at least two different clades of RrgB to improve strain coverage against pilus-containing pneumococci. These multiple clades may be present in the immunogenic composition as separate polypeptides or may be fused as a single polypeptide chain.

Abstract: Polypeptides from Streptococcus pneumoniae are described. In some aspects the polypeptides include pili polypeptides from a second pili island (pilus II island (INV1 04B)) identified in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolate INV1 04. In other aspects the polypeptides include pili polypeptides and non-pilus polypeptides from Streptococcus pneumoniae strains 23F, INV200, and OXC141 that are absent from Streptococcus pneumoniae isolate INV104. The polypeptides, including fragments and variants thereof, may be used in immunogenic compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The polypeptides are also disclosed to be used in compositions useful for the production of antibodies and immunostimulants. Also presented are methods of inhibiting Streptococcus pneumoniae, methods of treating Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, methods of identifying inhibitors of Streptococcus pneumoniae and methods for diagnosing/detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.

Abstract: Pneumococcal pilus subunit RrgB has at least three clades. Serum raised against a given clade is active against pneumococci which express that RrgB clade, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two clades i.e. there is intra-clade cross-protection, but not inter-clade cross-protection. Thus an immunogenic composition can include at least two different clades of RrgB to improve strain coverage against pilus-containing pneumococci. These multiple clades may be present in the immunogenic composition as separate polypeptides or may be fused as a single polypeptide chain.