Biologic activities of antibody to a peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein of Haemophilus influenzae against multiple clinical isolates of H. influenzae type b.

A peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein of about 15 kilodaltons was purified from the outer membranes of Haemophilus influenzae by using nondenaturing detergents. To assess its vaccine potential, rabbit antiserum to the purified protein was obtained. The antiserum was specific for the peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein in whole cell lysates of H. influenzae and was bactericidal for H. influenzae types a, b, d, e, and f and for 181 of 182 H. influenzae type b clinical strains isolated in widely dispersed geographic areas. The antibody protected infant rats from challenge with each of five clinical H. influenzae type b isolates and was additive to and did not interfere with bactericidal and protective activities of antibody against the type b capsule. These data indicate that the purified peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein is a potentially valuable vaccine candidate for H. influenzae type b disease and may enhance the effectiveness of preexisting anticapsular antibody.