# US 6,756,361 B1 · Enterococcus antigens and vaccines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,756,361 B1 - Document ID: US6756361B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 08/949,757 - Filed: 1997-10-14 - Granted: 2004-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 1997-10-14 - Assignees: Nabi - Inventors: Ali Ibrahim Fattom; Ramesh K. Sood; Sara E. Shepherd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6756361B1 ## CPC - C07K 16/1275: Streptococcus (G) - A61K 39/092: {Streptococcus} - A61P 31/04: Antibacterial agents - A61P 37/04: Immunostimulants - A61K 38/00: Medicinal preparations containing peptides (peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00) - Y10S 424/831: involving capsular polysaccharide of bacterium, e.g. polyribosyl ribitol phosphate - C07K: PEPTIDES (peptides in foodstuffs A23; obtaining protein compositions for foodstuffs, working-up proteins for foodstuffs A23J; preparations for medicinal purposes A61K; peptides containing beta-lactam rings C07D; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, C07D; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type C07D519/02; macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units in their molecules, i.e. when the preparation does not provide for a specific; but for a random sequence of the amino acid units, homopolyamides and block copolyamides derived from amino acids C08G69/00; macromolecular products derived from proteins C08H1/00; preparation of glue or gelatine C09H; single cell proteins, enzymes C12N; genetic engineering processes for obtaining peptides C12N15/00; compositions for measuring or testing processes involving enzymes C12Q; investigation or analysis of biological material G01N33/00) - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A majority of E. faecalis and E. faecium clinical isolates fall into two groups and three groups, respectively. Distinct antigens are associate with each of the five groups. The Enterococcus antigens are readily obtained from strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium, and can elicit production of protective antibodies. Accordingly, the antigens are useful for vaccines which protect against infection by clinically significant (pathogenic) Enterococcus isolates. The antigens and antibodies generated to the antigens are also useful in diagnostic assays. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An isolated Enterococcus faecalis antigen comprising 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucose, rhamnose, glucose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-galactose wherein 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucose and rhamnose are in a 1:2 molar ratio. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An antigen-carrier conjugate, comprising an antigen as claimed in claim 1 covalently bonded to an immunocarrier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An antigen-carrier conjugate as claimed in claim 2, wherein said immunocarrier is diphtheria toxoid or a recombinantly-produced, non-toxic mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A composition consisting essentially of an antigen as claimed in claim 1, and a sterile, pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier therefor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A composition consisting essentially of an antigen-immunocarrier conjugate as claimed in claim 2, and a sterile, pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier therefor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein said immunocarrier is diphtheria toxoid or a recombinantly-produced, non-toxic mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An isolated Enterococcus antigen according to claim 1, that reacts with antibodies to ATCC 202013. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An isolated Enterococcus faecalis antigen according to claim 1, comprising 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucose, rhamnose, glucose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-galactose in an approximate calculated molar ratio of 1:2:2:2. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An isolated antigen according to claim 8, having an NMR spectrum as shown in FIG. 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An isolated Enterococcus antigen according to claim 1, extracted and purified by a process comprising alcohol precipitation and chromatography. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A kit for detecting the presence of anti-Enterococcus antibody in a sample, comprising: an isolated Enterococcus antigen according to claim 1, the antigen being labeled with a radioisotope label or an enzyme label; and instructions for carrying out a diagnostic assay comprising the steps of mixing the Enterococcus antigen with a sample suspected of containing Enterococcus-specific antibody and monitoring the mixture for binding between the antigen and Enterococcus-specific antibody in the sample. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein said antigen is immobilized on a solid matrix. ### Claim 13 An isolated Enterococcus antigen selected from the group consisting of an E. faecalis antigen comprising 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucose, rhamnose, glucose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-galactose, wherein 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucose and rhamnose are in a 1:2 molar ratio, an E. faecalis antigen comprising a trisaccharide repeat which comprises a 6-deoxy sugar, and an E. faecium antigen comprising 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-galactose and galactose. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An isolated Enterococcus antigen according to claim 13, having an NMR spectrum as shown in FIG. 1, 2 or 3. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) An isolated Enterococcus antigen according to claim 13, extracted and purified by a process comprising alcohol precipitation and chromatography. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) An antigen-carrier conjugate, comprising an antigen as claimed in claim 13, covalently bonded to an immunocarrier. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A kit for detecting the presence of anti-Enterococcus antibody in a sample, comprising: an isolated Enterococcus antigen according to claim 13, the antigen being labeled with a radioisotope label or an enzyme label; and instructions for carrying out a diagnostic assay of comprising the steps of mixing the Enterococcus antigen with a sample suspected of containing Enterococcus-specific antibody and monitoring the mixture for binding between the antigen and Enterococcus-specific antibody in the sample.