Staphylococcal antigens

Abstract

The present invention provides novel sequences encoding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius proteins/nucleic acids potentially useful in the treatment and/or prevention of canine disorders. In particular, the various protein and/or nucleic acid sequences described herein may find application as vaccines for use in treating and/or preventing a variety of canine diseases and/or conditions caused or contributed to by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

1 . A  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein or nucleic acid comprising a sequence at least 65% homologous or identical to SEQ ID NOS: 1-38 or fragments, portions, mutants, derivatives and/or homologoues/orthologues thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein or nucleic acid of  claim 1 , comprising a sequence at least 65% homologous or identical to (i) the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 5 or a fragment thereof or (ii) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or an antigenic fragment thereof, for use in raising an immune response in a subject. 
     
     
         3 . The  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 2 , comprising an antigenic fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, wherein said fragment comprises SEQ ID NO: 37. 
     
     
         4 . The  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  nucleic acid of  claim 2 , comprising a fragment of the nucleic acid, wherein said fragment comprises SEQ ID NO: 38. 
     
     
         5 . The  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 1 , wherein the protein is a cell-wall anchored (CWA) or microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecule (MSCRAMM). 
     
     
         6 . The  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 1 , comprising a replicable expression vector and nucleic acid. 
     
     
         7 . A host cell transformed with the nucleic acid of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         8 . The  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 1 , comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         9 . A  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 37. 
     
     
         10 . The  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 9 , comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 37. 
     
     
         11 . A method of raising an immune response to  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  in a canine, said method comprising immunising said canine with, or administering said canine a  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . An immunogenic composition comprising the protein of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more adjuvant(s) and/or antigens for use in treating or preventing other diseases and/or conditions. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating or preventing a  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  infection or disease in a canine, said method comprising administering to the canine the immunogenic composition of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating or preventing canine pyoderma comprising administering to a dog the immunogenic composition of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         16 . A process for the recombinant production of a  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 1 , said process comprising the steps of:
 (a) transforming a host cell with the nucleic acid of  claim 1 ;   (b) culturing the cells obtained in (a) under conditions in which expression of a peptide/protein encoded by the nucleic acid occurs; and   (c) isolating the expressed peptide/protein from the cell culture or/and a culture supernatant derived therefrom.   
     
     
         17 . An antibody that selectively and/or specifically binds to the  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . An antibody that selectively and/or specifically binds to the  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         19 . A method of diagnosing an  S. pseudintermedius  infection, said method comprising the steps of taking a sample from a canine, identifying in the sample a level of a protein or nucleic acid of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is diagnosed with  S. pseudintermedius  infection by identification of the protein, peptide or nucleic in the sample. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for diagnosing, detecting and/or evaluating possible  S. pseudintermedius  infections, diseases and/or conditions, said kit comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) a substrate having the  Staphylococcus pseudintermedius  protein of  claim 1  bound thereto;   (ii) antibodies which exhibit specificity and/or selectivity for the protein;   (iii) and instructions for diagnosing, detecting and/or evaluating possible  S. pseudintermedius  infections, diseases and/or conditions.