Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of further increasing the absolute detection value and/or the ratio of the detection value to a reference in a pneumococcal antibody sample evaluation test, or a technique capable of evaluating pneumococcal antibody samples against a wider variety of pneumococcal strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measurement method for complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, and provides a measurement method capable of measuring complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae of any capsular serotype. Complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae is measured using capsule-deficient Streptococcus pneumoniae, that is, non-encapsulated or substantially non-encapsulated, or transparent Streptococcus pneumoniae. The measurement of the complement-dependent bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae of any capsular serotype is enabled.

Abstract: A pneumococcal vaccine comprising a fusion protein at least comprising a full-length family 1 pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) or a fragment thereof, and a full-length family 2 PspA or a fragment thereof, in particular any one of the following fusion proteins (1) to (3): (1) a fusion protein at least comprising a family 1, clade 2 PspA and a family 2, clade 3 PspA, (2) a fusion protein at least comprising a family 1, clade 2 PspA and a family 2, clade 4 PspA, and (3) a fusion protein at least comprising a family 1, clade 2 PspA and a family 2, clade 5 PspA, is useful as a pneumococcal vaccine comprising a single protein antigen that has broadly cross-reactive immunogenicity and can induce immune response against a wide range of pneumococcal clinical isolates.

Abstract: A pneumococcal vaccine comprising a fusion protein at least comprising a full-length family 1 pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) or a fragment thereof, and a full-length family 2 PspA or a fragment thereof, in particular any one of the following fusion proteins (1) to (3): (1) a fusion protein at least comprising a family 1, clade 2 PspA and a family 2, clade 3 PspA, (2) a fusion protein at least comprising a family 1, clade 2 PspA and a family 2, clade 4 PspA, and (3) a fusion protein at least comprising a family 1, clade 2 PspA and a family 2, clade 5 PspA, is useful as a pneumococcal vaccine comprising a single protein antigen that has broadly cross-reactive immunogenicity and can induce immune response against a wide range of pneumococcal clinical isolates.