Abstract: Knockout of the meningococcal mltA homolog gives bacteria that spontaneously release vesicles that are rich in immunogenic outer membrane proteins and that can elicit cross-protective antibody responses with higher bactericidal titres than OMVs prepared by normal production processes. Thus the invention provides a bacterium having a knockout mutation of its mltA gene. The invention also provides a bacterium, wherein the bacterium: (i) has a cell wall that includes peptidoglycan; and (ii) does not express a protein having the lytic transglycosylase activity of MltA protein. The invention also provides compositions comprising vesicles that, during culture of bacteria of the invention, are released into the culture medium.

Abstract: NTHI protein antigens have been identified and found to be conserved across several Haemophilus influenzae pathogenic strains. They have been isolated, cloned from a reference strain and tested for immunogenicity. Methods for immunization and vaccines derived thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various open reading frames from a strain of E. coli responsible for neonatal meningitis (MNEC), and a subset of these that is of particular interest for preparing compositions for immunising against MNEC infections.

Abstract: An effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens are identified for use in immunisation. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various open reading frames from a strain of E. coli responsible for neonatal meningitis (MNEC), and a subset of these that is of particular interest for preparing compositions for immunising against MNEC infections.

Abstract: An effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens are identified for use in immunization. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic polypeptides derived from epitopes in a Streptococcus agalactiae (“GBS”) protein GBS 80 and their use as prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic compositions. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the immunogenic polypeptides. Also provided are vectors useful for making such immunogenic polypeptides and host cells transformed with such vectors. In particular, the invention relates to a group immunogenic polypeptides derived from GBS 80. The compositions may include one or more of the immunogenic polypeptides either alone or with other antigenic components. For example, the immunogenic polypeptides may be combined with other GBS antigens to provide therapeutic compositions with broader range.

Abstract: An effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens are identified for use in immunisation. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus Hla polypeptides having various deletions, insertions, and/or mutations which are useful for immunisation are provided herein. Also provided herein are Hla heptamers which are non-haemolytic. Additionally, an effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens, including Hla polypeptides having deletions, insertions, and/or mutations, are identified for use in immunisation. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.

Abstract: The invention provides protective antigens for Group B streptococcus hypervirulent strains. The fragments are useful in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. agalactiae, particularly against hypervirulent strains.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated or purified bacterial adhesin conformers, preferably with improved stability and/or immunogenicity. In a preferred aspect, the invention comprises an isolated bacterial adhesin conformer F. Also provided are methods of isolation and/or separation of such adhesin conformers. The compositions may include one or more of the immunogenic polypeptides either alone or with other antigenic components. For example, the immunogenic polypeptides may be combined with other bacterial antigens to provide therapeutic compositions with broader range.

Abstract: Group A streptococcal (GAS) antigens useful for providing immunity against pyogenes infection.

Abstract: The invention provides protective antigens for Group B streptococcus hypervirulent strains. The fragments are useful in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. agalactiae, particularly against hypervirulent strains.

Abstract: Knockout of the meningococcal mltA homolog gives bacteria that spontaneously release vesicles that are rich in immunogenic outer membrane proteins and that can elicit cross-protective antibody responses with higher bactericidal titres than OMVs prepared by normal production processes. Thus the invention provides a bacterium having a knockout mutation of its mltA gene. The invention also provides a bacterium, wherein the bacterium: (i) has a cell wall that includes peptidoglycan; and (ii) does not express a protein having the lytic transglycosylase activity of MltA protein. The invention also provides compositions comprising vesicles that, during culture of bacteria of the invention, are released into the culture medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic polypeptides derived from epitopes in a Streptococcus agalactiae (“GBS”) protein GBS 80 and their use as prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic compositions. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the immunogenic polypeptides. Also provided are vectors useful for making such immunogenic polypeptides and host cells transformed with such vectors. In particular, the invention relates to a group immunogenic polypeptides derived from GBS 80. The compositions may include one or more of the immunogenic polypeptides either alone or with other antigenic components. For example, the immunogenic polypeptides may be combined with other GBS antigens to provide therapeutic compositions with broader range. In addition, the immunogenic polypeptides may also include flanking portions of the GBS 80 protein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various open reading frames from a strain of E. coli responsible for neonatal meningitis (MNEC), and a subset of these that is of particular interest for preparing compositions for immunising against MNEC infections.

Abstract: 217 proteins have, contrary to expectations, been found in the membrane of Neisseria meningitidis. Of these 217, 76 in particular evaded all algorithmic methods for predicting membrane localisation. Existing knowledge of protein trafficking pathways in meningococcus does not explain how or why these proteins are located in the bacterial membrane e.g. there is no apparent biochemical reason for a DNA helicase or a chromosomal replication initiator protein to be found in the membrane. These 217 proteins are provided as membrane proteins.