| abstract |
Glucans having exclusively or mainly .BETA.-1,3 linkages are used as immunogens. These comprise .beta.-1,3-linked glucose residues. Optionally, they may include .beta.-1,6-linked glucose residues, provided that the ratio of .beta.-1,3-linked residues to .beta.-1,6-linked residues is at least 8: 1 and/or there are one or more sequences of at least five adjacent non-terminal residues linked to other residues only by 0-1,3 linkages. The glucans will usually be used in conjugated form. A preferred glucan source is curdlan, which may be hydrolysed to a suitable form prior to conjugation. |