A collection of 2,209 isolates of six polysaccharide capsule types of Haemophi/us influenzoe, including 1,975 serotype b isolates recovered in 30 countries was characterized for electrophoretically demonstrable allele profiles at 17 metabolic enzyme loci. Two hundred eighty distinct multilocus genotypes were distinguished, and cluster analysis revealed two primary phylogenetic divisions. The population structure of encapsulated H. influenzae is clonal. Currently, most of the invasive disease worldwide is caused by serotype b strains of nine clones, Strains producing serotype c, e, and f capsules belong to single divisions and have no close genetic relationships to strains of other serotypes, Serotype a and b strains occur in both primary phylogenetic divisions, probably as a result of transfer and recombination of serotype-specific sequences of the cap region between clonal lineages. A close genetic relatedness between serotype d isolates and some strains of serotypes a and b was identified, There are strong patterns of geographic variation, on an intercontinental scale, in both the extent of genetic diversity and the clonal composition of populations of encapsulated strains, The analysis suggests that the present distribution of clones is, in part, related to patterns of racial or ethnic differentiation and historical demographic movements of the human host populations.

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A new surface protein, named NspA, which is distinct from the previously described Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane proteins was identified. An NspA-specific mAb, named Me-1, reacted with 99% of the meningococcal strains tested indicating that the epitope recognized by this particular mAb is widely distributed and highly conserved. Western immunoblotting experiments indicated that mAb Me-1 is directed against a protein band with an approximate molecular mass of 22,000, but also recognized a minor protein band with an approximate molecular mass of 18,000. This mAb exhibited bactericidal activity against four meningococcal strains, two isolates of serogroup B, and one isolate from each serogroup A and C, and passively protected mice against an experimental infection. To further characterize the NspA protein and to evaluate the protective potential of recombinant NspA protein, the nspA gene was identified and cloned into a low copy expression vector. Nucleotide sequencing of the meningococcal insert revealed an ORF of 525 nucleotides coding for a polypeptide of 174 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular weight of 18,404 and a isoelectric point of 9.93. Three injections of either 10 or 20 μg of the affinity-purified recombinant NspA protein efficiently protected 80% of the mice against a meningococcal deadly challenge comparatively to the 20% observed in the control groups. The fact that the NspA protein can elicit the production of bactericidal and protective antibodies emphasize its potential as a vaccine candidate.

A protein of group B streptococci (GBS), named Sip for surface immunogenic protein, which is distinct from previously described surface proteins, was identified after immunological screening of a genomic library. Immunoblots using a Sip-specific monoclonal antibody indicated that a protein band with an approximate molecular mass of 53 kDa which did not vary in size was present in every GBS strain tested. The data presented in this study suggest that this highly conserved protein induces cross-protective immunity against GBS infections and emphasize its potential as a universal vaccine candidate.