Bacterial polysaccharide–protein conjugate vaccines

Bacterial polysaccharide±protein conjugate vaccines*

The age-related and T-cell independent properties of polysaccharides limit their use as vaccines. These limitations are overcome by covalently binding polysaccharides to proteins to form conjugates. Widespread use of Haemophilus in ̄uenzae type b (Hib) conjugates has virtually eliminated systemic infection caused by this pathogen, notably meningitis, in individuals of all ages. The principles de...

Conjugate and Polysaccharide Vaccines Conjugate and Polysaccharide Vaccines, Plenary Review Meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines

Glycoprotein conjugate vaccines.

The polysaccharide capsule which surrounds bacterial species like Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Salmonella typhi, is a potent virulence factor. It protects the bacterium from phagocytosis, but capsule specific antibodies plus complement binding to the capsule opsonise the organism for phagocytosis and elimination. Purified capsules elicit T-independen...

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines

To assess whether certain serogroups of Streptococcus pneumoniae are preferentially associated with specific disease manifestations, we analyzed all recent pneumococcal disease studies and assessed the relative frequency of isolation of each serogroup by clinical site (as a proxy for different disease states). In all age groups, serogroups 1 and 14 were more often isolated from blood, and serog...

Group B streptococcal conjugate vaccines.

Linkage of bacterial capsular polysaccharides to proteins to create conjugate vaccines has had a dramatic impact on the health of children. Although unconjugated polysaccharides are poorly immunogenic in infants and some older children and adults, their covalent coupling with proteins stimulates T cell dependent antigenic recognition that profoundly enhances immunogenicity. In the decade since ...