| abstract |
Immunogenic compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against S. epiderrnidis and other related staphylococci are provided. The immunogenic compositions can include immunogenic conjugates of poly-Ϝ-glutamic acid (such as ϜDLPGA) polypeptides of S. epidermidis, or related staphylococci that express a ϜPGA polypeptide. The ϜPGA conjugates elicit an effective immune response against S. epidermidis, or other staphylococci, in subjects to which the conjugates are administered. A method of treating an infection caused by a Staphylococcus organism that expresses cap genes is also disclosed. The method can include selecting a subject who is at risk of or has been diagonosed with the infection by the Staphylococcus organism which expresses ϜPGA from the cap genes. Further, the expression of a ϜPGA polypeptide by the organism can then be altered. |