Use of the 7f4 protein in the in vitro diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

A method for determining if an individual is infected by Mycoplasma pneumonia, comprising:

• contacting a biological sample of the individual with:
• a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• a homologous protein comprising a sequence having at least 80% identity with SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• at least one fragment of said protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2 or of said homologous protein, wherein said fragment comprises at least 10 amino acids;
• provided said homologous protein and said at least one fragment are antigens of Mycoplasma pneumoniae;
• detecting antibodies bound to said protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2, to said homologous protein or to said at least one fragment;
• deducing therefrom that the individual is infected by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

A method for determining the presence of antibodies directed against Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a biological sample comprising:

• contacting the biological sample with:
• a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• a homologous protein comprising a sequence having at least 80% identity with SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• at least one fragment of said protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2 or of said homologous protein, wherein said fragment comprises at least 10 amino acids;
• provided said homologous protein and said at least one fragment are antigens of Mycoplasma pneumoniae;
• detecting antibodies bound to said protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2, to said homologous protein or to said at least one fragment.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

• a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• a homologous protein comprising a sequence sharing at least 80% identity with SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• at least one fragment of said protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2 or of said homologous protein, wherein said fragment comprises at least 10 amino acids;
• provided said homologous protein and said at least one fragment are antigens of Mycoplasma pneumoniae,
• as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

A method for the prevention and/or the treatment of an infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an individual, comprising administering the individual with a prophylactically and/or a therapeutically effective amount of:

• a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• a homologous protein comprising a sequence sharing at least 80% identity with SEQ ID NO:
• 2;
• or
• at least one fragment of said protein comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2 or of said homologous protein, wherein said fragment comprises at least 10 amino acids;
• provided said homologous protein and said at least one fragment are antigens of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.