The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa pneumococcal surface
adhesion A protein (PsaA) from Streptococcus pneumoniae. The invention also
provides purified polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa
protein from and the nucleic acids comprising unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides
of the 37-kDa protein. Additionally, multiple antigenic peptides that provide protection
against S. pneumoniae challenge are provided. These multiple antigen peptides
comprise the peptides that immunospecifically bind to the monoclonal antibodies.
Also provided are vaccines comprising such immunogenic peptides, and methods of
conferring protective immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection
by administering therapeutic composition comprising the immunogenic peptides of
the invention. Also provided are methods of detecting the presence of Streptococcus
pneumoniae in a sample using antibodies or antigens and methods of preventing
and treating Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in a subject.
