Identification of a novel antigen from Staphylococcus epidermidis

Susan Lang, M. Anne Livesley, Peter A. Lambert, William A. Littler, Tom S J Elliott*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A genomic DNA library of Staphylococcus epidermidis NCTC 11047 was constructed, using the Lambda Zap Express cloning vector, and screened with serum collected from a patient with S. epidermidis endocarditis. Sequence analysis of a 30 kDa cloned protein, termed staphylococcal secretory antigen, SsaA, identified a novel protein not previously reported in S. epidermidis. SsaA showed strong homology with two other staphylococcal proteins: SceB from Staphylococcus carnosus and a staphyloxanthin biosynthesis protein from Staphylococcus aureus. Further investigation revealed SsaA to be a highly antigenic protein that was expressed in vivo and could be recovered from whole cells and from the culture supernatant. A combination of Western blot analysis and PCR screening identified SsaA or a homologue in 103/103 staphylococcal strains. SsaA-like genes were not detected in other Gram-positive bacteria of medical importance or a number of Gram-negative organisms. Elevated anti-SsaA IgG antibody levels were detected in sera of five patients with S. epidermidis endocarditis but not in patients with other S. epidermidis infections, endocarditis of other aetiologies or patients with no evidence of infection. The expression of SsaA during episodes of S. epidermidis endocarditis suggests a virulence role specific to the pathogenesis of this infectious disease. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)213-220
Number of pages8
JournalFEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology
Volume29
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Nov 2000

Keywords

  • Antigen
  • Endocarditis
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Identification of a novel antigen from Staphylococcus epidermidis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this