Pneumococcal serotype 6d

Abstract

Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6D, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1-4) ribitol (5→phosphate. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An isolated bacterial strain designated  Streptococcus pneumoniae  6D; said bacterial strain characterized as having a capsular polysaccharide having the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→4) ribitol (5→phosphate}. 
     
     
         2 . A composition comprising a purified polysaccharide comprising the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→4) ribitol (5→phosphate}. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said polysaccharide is conjugated to a carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the carrier is a protein. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the carrier is a bead. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the polysaccharide is produced by a recombinant bacterium that expresses a recombinant genome that produces a capsular polysaccharide having the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→4) ribitol (5→phosphate}. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the polysaccharide is produced by an isolated  Streptococcus pneumoniae  6D, wherein said  Streptococcus pneumoniae  6D has a capsular polysaccharide having the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→4) ribitol (5→phosphate}. 
     
     
         9 . A method of generating monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies using the composition of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition further comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the polysaccharide is conjugated to a carrier.