Distribution of pilus islands in Streptococcus agalactiae that cause human infections: insights into evolution and implication for vaccine development

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2013 Feb;20(2):313-6. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00529-12. Epub 2012 Dec 26.

Abstract

At least one pilus island, PI-1 (70%), PI-2a (79%), or PI-2b (21%), was found among 898 Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus [GBS]) isolates recovered from humans, supporting the use of pilus proteins in vaccines. The stability and dominance of PI-1 and PI-2a in multiple serotypes and founder multilocus sequence types disseminated worldwide suggest it could be the PI combination present in ancestral GBS human pathogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Female
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Serotyping
  • Streptococcal Infections / immunology*
  • Streptococcal Vaccines*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / classification
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Streptococcal Vaccines