Towards a universal group B Streptococcus vaccine using multistrain genome analysis

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2006 Oct;5(5):687-94. doi: 10.1586/14760584.5.5.687.

Abstract

Genomics has revolutionized the way in which novel vaccine candidates are identified for the development of efficacious vaccines. Reverse vaccinology, whereby all candidates of interest are identified by analysis of a pathogen's genome, enables characterization of many candidates simultaneously. It accelerates the initial steps of vaccine development and greatly increases the chances of obtaining reliable candidates or cocktails thereof. The availability of one or two genome sequences for any given pathogen provides access to strain-specific vaccine candidates but often fails to identify candidates that would confer general protection. The analysis of multiple genomes of group B Streptococcus revealed tremendous diversity and identified candidates that are not shared by all the strains sequenced, but provide general protection when combined.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Design
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Genomics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / genetics*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / genetics*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics

Substances

  • Streptococcal Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Synthetic