Method for enhancing the immune response to Staphylococcus aureus infection

A pharmaceutical composition for enhancing the immune response of a patient to Staphylococcus aureus infection comprising an effective amount of agent that inhibits the cofactor that mediates (1) the removal of C3b by factor I from Staphylococcus aureus cells to which it has bonded and/or 2) the cleavage of C3b by factor I to forms inactive as opsonins for Staphylococcus aureus cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore.

An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a pharmaceutical agent contained within said packaging material, wherein said pharmaceutical agent is effective for the treatment of a subject suffering from Staphylococcus aureus infection, and wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said pharmaceutical agent can be used for ameliorating the symptoms associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection, and wherein said pharmaceutical agent is one that inhibits the cofactor that mediates (1) the removal of C3b by factor I from Staphylococcus aureus cells to which it has bonded and/or 2) the cleavage of C3b by factor I to forms inactive as opsonins for Staphylococcus aureus cells.