Streptococcus equi Vaccine Composition Using Specific Antigenic Epitopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaccines against Streptococcus equi and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus are ineffective in providing sufficient protection against strangles and are associated with side effects, highlighting a need for efficient and safe prophylactic agents that can prevent infections and reduce the risk of antibiotic-resistant strains.
Innovation Solution
Development of an antigenic composition comprising specific polypeptides or proteins from Streptococcus equi, such as EAG, IdeE, IdeE2, Eq5, Eq8, IdeZ2, Eqz5, and Eqz8, which elicit an immunogenic response, used in vaccine compositions to protect non-human mammals against S. equi infections, including horses and other animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing vaccines based on inactivated or attenuated strains of S. equi are used, then some level of immunity is provided, but side effects occur and protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts specific virulence-associated genes (e.g., sdr, hya, sia, psp) from the S. equi genome and uses only these specific antigenic components in the vaccine composition, rather than using whole inactivated or attenuated bacterial strains. This extraction approach provides sufficient immunogenicity while eliminating the side effects associated with live or whole-killed vaccines.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaccine composition is segmented into specific gene-derived antigens (sdr, hya, sia, psp) that target particular virulence mechanisms of S. equi. This segmentation allows the vaccine to address multiple aspects of bacterial pathogenicity through distinct antigen components, improving overall protection efficacy while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If antibiotics are used to treat streptococcal infections, then infections can be cured, but the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant strains increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine provides preliminary protective action by inducing immunity before infection occurs or at the early stages of exposure. By preventing infection through pre-established immune responses to key virulence antigens, the vaccine reduces the need for antibiotic treatment and consequently lowers the risk of selecting for antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
3Reliability
If current vaccine formulations are administered, then some immune response is elicited, but the response is insufficient to prevent strangles effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple virulence-associated antigens (sdr, hya, sia, psp) into a single composite vaccine formulation. This combination approach elicits a comprehensive immune response that targets various aspects of S. equi pathogenicity simultaneously, producing a stronger and more effective protective immunity than single-antigen vaccines.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The vaccine composition induces a significant immune response, reducing bacterial recovery and nasal discharge in horses, providing protection against strangles with minimal side effects and potentially preventing the development of antibiotic-resistant strains.
Implementation Method 1
Development of an antigenic composition comprising specific polypeptides or proteins from Streptococcus equi, such as EAG, IdeE, IdeE2, Eq5, Eq8, IdeZ2, Eqz5, and Eqz8, which elicit an immunogenic response
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is concerned with an antigenic composition comprising at least one antigen that comprises at least one antigenic epitope or antigenic determinant derived from a protein present in one or both of S. equi subsp. equi and subsp. zooepidemicus and use thereof for immunization of non-human mammals against S. equi subsp. equi and/or subsp. zooepidemicus. The present invention also discloses a vaccine composition comprising the aforesaid antigenic composition as immunizing component.