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Objectives: The opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis is progressively involved in device-related infections. Since these infections involve biofilm formation, antibiotics are not effective. Conversely, a vaccine can be advantageous to prevent these infections. In view of vaccine development, predicted surface proteins were evaluated on their potential as a vaccine target.
Methods: Immunoglobulins directed against S. epidermidis surface proteins SesB, M, O, Q and R were used to firstly affirm their surface location. Further, inhibitory effects of these IgGs on biofilm formation were determined in vitro on polystyrene and polyurethane surfaces and in vivo using a subcutaneous catheter mouse model. We also examined the opsonophagocytotic capacity of these IgGs.
Results: Surface localization of the five Ses proteins was demonstrated both for planktonic and sessile cells, though to a variable extent. Ses-specific IgGs added to planktonic cells had a variable inhibitory effect on cell adhesion to polystyrene, while only anti-SesO IgGs decreased cell attachment to polyurethane catheters. Although phagocytic killing was only obtained after opsonization with SesB-specific IgGs, a significant reduction of in vivo formed biofilms was observed after administration of SesB-, SesM- and SesO-specific IgGs.
Conclusions: Regardless of their characterization or function, S. epidermidis surface proteins can be adequate targets for vaccine development aiming the prevention of device-related infections caused by invasive S. epidermidis strains.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2018.03.013 | DOI Listing |
J Womens Health (Larchmt)
September 2025
Centre of Excellence Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Biological sex, hormones, and gender uniquely affect health and disease, often resulting in disparities for women across the lifespan and from different racial and ethnic groups, geographical locations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Without intentional investment and infrastructure to support good health and wellbeing for women, half of the world's population remains vulnerable to preventable morbidity and mortality. The Society for Women's Health Research and ECHAlliance-The Global Health Connector convened a women's health program as part of the 10th Annual Science Summit during the United Nations 79th General Assembly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiotechnol J
September 2025
Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
Vaccines are pivotal in mitigating infectious diseases by reducing infection rates, severity, and mortality. Plant-derived vaccines-engineered to express antigens in plants, offer distinctive advantages, including cost-efficient production, enhanced biosafety profiles, superior thermal stability, and simplified logistics. Recent advances in plant biotechnology have enabled the large-scale production of plant-based vaccines, positioning them as a viable and transformative alternative to conventional vaccine platforms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Ther
September 2025
Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115201, Taiwan,; Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan, ; Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115201, Taiwan,. Electronic address:
Flaviviruses contain many important human pathogens such as dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), for which effective and safe vaccines are still lacking, mainly because pre-existing cross-reactive non-neutralizing antibodies may exacerbate subsequent infections with related flaviviruses. To overcome this challenge, we explore Vectored ImmunoProphylaxis (VIP), which involves the passive transfer of protective antibody genes via viral vectors for in vivo expression. We utilized a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) to express a broad anti-flavivirus neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, bnAb 752-2C8, and tested its protection against four serotypes of DENV and ZIKV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfluenza Other Respir Viruses
September 2025
Department of Respiratory, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of severe respiratory diseases in children, especially in infants. The immune responses induced by RSV infection are a fairly complex process that can contribute significantly to disease severity. Despite decades of research on RSV, many immune mechanisms remain to be explored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccine
September 2025
Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Background: Among pregnant and postpartum women, decision-making for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is influenced by vaccine safety concerns, misconceptions, shifting vaccine policies, and exclusion in the initial vaccine rollout. This caused confusion and vaccine hesitancy among many groups including pregnant and postpartum women.
Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the multilevel factors that influence vaccine decision-making among pregnant and postpartum women in Pakistan, which is crucial for improving vaccine demand among the vulnerable group-pregnant and postpartum women.