Title:  Staphylococcus aureus antigen-containing whole cell vaccine

United States Patent:  6,294,177

Assignee:  NABI (Rockville, MD)

Filed:  May 10, 1999

A negatively-charged S. aureus antigen contains .beta.-hexosamine as a major carbohydrate component. S. aureus strains that carry the antigen account for nearly all of the clinically significant strains of S. aureus that are not Type 5 or Type 8 strains. The antigen can be used in combination with S. aureus Type 5 polysaccharide antigen and S. aureus Type 8 polysaccharide antigen to provide nearly 100% coverage of S. aureus infection. The antigen and antibodies to the antigen are useful in kits and assays for diagnosing S. aureus infection. A whole cell vaccine of cells that contain the antigen is particularly useful in the treatment of mastitis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a whole cell vaccine of cells that carry an antigen that is common to a large number of clinically-significant S. aureus strains, particularly one that is common to strains associated with infections in animals, particularly cattle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a whole cell vaccine for prevention or treatment of infections in animals, particularly mastitis in cattle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hyperimmune globulin composition that contains antibodies directed against bacteria that carry an antigen that is common to a large number of clinically-significant S. aureus strains, particularly one that is common to strains associated with infections in animals, particularly cattle.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a hyperimmune globulin composition that is effective in treatment of infections in animals, particularly mastitis.

In accordance with these and other objects according to the invention, there is provided a whole cell vaccine comprising cells from a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that carries an antigen that comprises .beta.-linked hexosamine, that contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and that reacts with antibodies to ATCC 55804. Also provided is a composition comprising the whole cell vaccine, and a sterile, pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier therefor. The vaccine can be administered to a human or animal subject to provide protection against S. aureus infection. It is particularly useful in preventing mastitis in animals.

An immunotherapeutic agent against S. aureus infection, particularly against mastitis in animals, can be prepared by immunizing human or animal subjects with a composition according to the invention, collecting plasma from the immunized subjects, and harvesting a human or veterinary hyperimmune globulin that contains antibodies directed against S. aureus from the collected plasma. The hyperimmune globulin contains antibodies directed against the .beta.-linked hexosamine antigen. An immunotherapy method comprises a step of administering this hyperimmune globulin to a human or animal subject, especially an animal with mastitis, to prevent or treat infection.

Claim 1 of 26 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vaccine that comprises (A) cells, cell lysates, or cell derivatives of Staphylococcus aureus which carry an antigen that (a) comprises .beta.-linked hexosamine, (b) contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (c) specifically bind with antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus Type 336 deposited under ATCC 55804, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

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