MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF PUTATIVE PNEUMOCOCCAL VIRULENCE PROTEINS

Although the polysaccharide capsule has been recognized as a sine qua non of virulence, recent attention has focused on the role of pneumoco ccal proteins in pathogenesis, particularly in view of their potential as vaccine antigens. The contribution of pneumolysin, two distinct ne uraminidases, autolysin, hyaluronidase, and the 37 kDa pneumococcal su rface adhesin A has been examined by specifically mutagenizing the res pective genes in the pneumococcal chromosome and examining the impact on virulence in animal models. The vaccine potential of these proteins has also been assessed by immunization of mice with purified antigens , followed by challenge with virulent pneumococci.