Passive immunization with antiserum to a nontoxic alpha-toxin mutant from Staphylococcus aureus is protective in a murine model

Infect Immun. 1996 May;64(5):1839-41. doi: 10.1128/iai.64.5.1839-1841.1996.

Abstract

A nonhemolytic, nonlethal variant of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin constructed via oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and containing a single amino acid substitution (H-35 to L) was used to immunize a rabbit. The resulting antiserum was cross-reactive with wild-type alpha-toxin and neutralized its hemolytic activity in vitro. Passive immunization of mice with rabbit antiserum conferred protection against lethal challenge with wild-type alpha-toxin and against acute lethal challenge with a high-alpha-toxin -producing S. aureus strain. H35L alpha-toxin may be useful as a protective immunogen in S. aureus vaccine studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / administration & dosage*
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology*
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity
  • Bacterial Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Cross Reactions
  • Hemolysin Proteins / genetics
  • Hemolysin Proteins / immunology*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / toxicity
  • Immunization, Passive*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Point Mutation
  • Rabbits
  • Staphylococcal Infections / immunology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • staphylococcal alpha-toxin