Expression conditions and characterization of a novelly constructed lipoprotein intended as a vaccine to prevent human Haemophilus influenzae infections.

Bacterial lipoproteins are structurally divided into two groups, based on their lipid moieties: diacylated (present in Gram-positive bacteria) and triacylated (present in some Gram-positive and most Gram-negative bacteria). Diacylated and triacylated lipid moieties differ by a single amide-linked fatty acid chain. Lipoproteins induce host innate immune responses by the mammalian Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2).

Acute otitis media pneumococcal disease burden and nasopharyngeal colonization in children due to serotypes included and not included in current and new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.

Introduction: Despite the introduction of effective pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV), Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a major cause of acute otitis media (AOM) worldwide. New, higher valency vaccines that offer broader serotype coverage have been recently developed and others are in development. However, given the capsular serotypes expressed by pneumococci causing AOM, it is unclear to what extent differing or higher valency PCVs will provide additional protection.

Cross-reactivity in β-Lactam Allergy.

β-Lactam drugs (penicillins, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins) account for 42.6% of all severe drug-induced anaphylaxis. In this review, we focus on clinically significant immunologic cross-reactivity in patients with confirmed penicillin allergy to cephalosporins, and the structural involvement of the R and R chemical side chains of the cephalosporins causing IgE-mediated cross-reactivity with penicillin and other cephalosporins.

Correction for Fletcher et al., "Vaccine Potential of the Neisseria meningitidis 2086 Lipoprotein".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1128/IAI.72.

Developing a vaccine to prevent otitis media caused by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae.

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a predominant organism of the upper respiratory nasopharyngeal microbiota. Its disease spectrum includes otitis media, sinusitis, non-bacteremic pneumonia and invasive infections. Protein-based vaccines to prevent NTHi infections are needed to alleviate these infections in children and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).