Skip to main content
PMC home page
Infection and Immunity logoLink to Infection and Immunity
. 1995 Feb;63(2):375–380. doi: 10.1128/iai.63.2.375-380.1995

Antibodies to capsular polysaccharides are not protective against experimental Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis.

J Nemeth 1, J C Lee 1
PMCID: PMC173005  PMID: 7821999

Abstract

The protective efficacy of antibodies to the Staphylococcus aureus capsular polysaccharide was examined in a rat model of catheter-induced endocarditis. Capsular antibodies were induced either by active immunization with killed S. aureus or by passive immunization with hyperimmune rabbit antiserum to S. aureus. Control rats were injected with phosphate-buffered saline or passively immunized with normal rabbit serum or rabbit antiserum to a nonencapsulated strain. Animals with indwelling catheters were challenged intravenously with 5 x 10(4) to 4 x 10(6) CFU of the homologous S. aureus strain (capsular serotype 5 strain Reynolds or serotype 1 strain SA1 mucoid). Both immunized and control rats developed S. aureus endocarditis. The numbers of S. aureus cells recovered from the blood and aortic valve vegetations of immunized rats were similar to those of control rats, indicating that capsule-specific antibodies were not protective. To determine whether the presence of an indwelling catheter interfered with antibody-mediated protection against S. aureus endocarditis, catheters were removed 2 h after insertion in additional groups of rats. An inoculum of 10(8) CFU of strain Reynolds was needed to provoke endocarditis in rats catheterized for 2 h, compared with 5 x 10(4) CFU for rats with indwelling catheters. Passively transferred capsular antibodies were not protective since both immunized and nonimmunized animals developed endocarditis, and quantitative cultures of blood and valvular vegetations revealed no differences between immunized and control animals. The findings of this study indicate that antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide are not protective in the rat model of experimental S. aureus endocarditis.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (219.3 KB).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Adler S. W., 2nd, Selinger D. S., Reed W. P. Effect of immunization on the genesis of pneumococcal endocarditis in rabbits. Infect Immun. 1981 Oct;34(1):55–61. doi: 10.1128/iai.34.1.55-61.1981. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Albus A., Arbeit R. D., Lee J. C. Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus mutants altered in type 5 capsule production. Infect Immun. 1991 Mar;59(3):1008–1014. doi: 10.1128/iai.59.3.1008-1014.1991. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Albus A., Fournier J. M., Wolz C., Boutonnier A., Ranke M., Høiby N., Hochkeppel H., Döring G. Staphylococcus aureus capsular types and antibody response to lung infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. J Clin Microbiol. 1988 Dec;26(12):2505–2509. doi: 10.1128/jcm.26.12.2505-2509.1988. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Archer G. L., Johnston J. L. Effect of type-specific active immunization on the development and progression of experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis. Infect Immun. 1979 Apr;24(1):167–173. doi: 10.1128/iai.24.1.167-173.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Baddour L. M., Christensen G. D., Hester M. G., Bisno A. L. Production of experimental endocarditis by coagulase-negative staphylococci: variability in species virulence. J Infect Dis. 1984 Nov;150(5):721–727. doi: 10.1093/infdis/150.5.721. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Baddour L. M., Christensen G. D., Lowrance J. H., Simpson W. A. Pathogenesis of experimental endocarditis. Rev Infect Dis. 1989 May-Jun;11(3):452–463. doi: 10.1093/clinids/11.3.452. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Baddour L. M., Lowrance C., Albus A., Lowrance J. H., Anderson S. K., Lee J. C. Staphylococcus aureus microcapsule expression attenuates bacterial virulence in a rat model of experimental endocarditis. J Infect Dis. 1992 Apr;165(4):749–753. doi: 10.1093/infdis/165.4.749. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Christensson B., Boutonnier A., Ryding U., Fournier J. M. Diagnosing Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis by detecting antibodies against S. aureus capsular polysaccharide types 5 and 8. J Infect Dis. 1991 Mar;163(3):530–533. doi: 10.1093/infdis/163.3.530. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Craven D. E., Peppler M. S., Frasch C. E., Mocca L. F., McGrath P. P., Washington G. Adherence of isolates of Neisseria meningitidis from patients and carriers to human buccal epithelial cells. J Infect Dis. 1980 Oct;142(4):556–568. doi: 10.1093/infdis/142.4.556. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Crowder J. G., White A. Teichoic acid antibodies in staphylococcal and nonstaphylococcal endocarditis. Ann Intern Med. 1972 Jul;77(1):87–90. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-77-1-87. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Durack D. T., Gilliland B. C., Petersdorf R. G. Effect of immunization on susceptibility to experimental Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis. Infect Immun. 1978 Oct;22(1):52–56. doi: 10.1128/iai.22.1.52-56.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. FISHER M. W., DEVLIN H. B., ERLANDSON A. L. A NEW STAPHYLOCOCCAL ANTIGEN. ITS PREPARATION AND IMMUNIZING ACTIVITY AGAINST EXPERIMENTAL INFECTIONS. Nature. 1963 Sep 14;199:1074–1075. doi: 10.1038/1991074a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Fattom A., Schneerson R., Watson D. C., Karakawa W. W., Fitzgerald D., Pastan I., Li X., Shiloach J., Bryla D. A., Robbins J. B. Laboratory and clinical evaluation of conjugate vaccines composed of Staphylococcus aureus type 5 and type 8 capsular polysaccharides bound to Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant exoprotein A. Infect Immun. 1993 Mar;61(3):1023–1032. doi: 10.1128/iai.61.3.1023-1032.1993. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Fattom A., Shiloach J., Bryla D., Fitzgerald D., Pastan I., Karakawa W. W., Robbins J. B., Schneerson R. Comparative immunogenicity of conjugates composed of the Staphylococcus aureus type 8 capsular polysaccharide bound to carrier proteins by adipic acid dihydrazide or N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate. Infect Immun. 1992 Feb;60(2):584–589. doi: 10.1128/iai.60.2.584-589.1992. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Fournier J. M., Bouvet A., Boutonnier A., Audurier A., Goldstein F., Pierre J., Bure A., Lebrun L., Hochkeppel H. K. Predominance of capsular polysaccharide type 5 among oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Clin Microbiol. 1987 Oct;25(10):1932–1933. doi: 10.1128/jcm.25.10.1932-1933.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Gilbert F. B., Poutrel B., Sutra L. Immunogenicity in cows of Staphylococcus aureus type 5 capsular polysaccharide-ovalbumin conjugate. Vaccine. 1994 Mar;12(4):369–374. doi: 10.1016/0264-410x(94)90103-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Gray B. M. ELISA methodology for polysaccharide antigens: protein coupling of polysaccharides for adsorption to plastic tubes. J Immunol Methods. 1979;28(1-2):187–192. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(79)90340-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Greenberg D. P., Bayer A. S., Cheung A. L., Ward J. I. Protective efficacy of protein A-specific antibody against bacteremic infection due to Staphylococcus aureus in an infant rat model. Infect Immun. 1989 Apr;57(4):1113–1118. doi: 10.1128/iai.57.4.1113-1118.1989. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Greenberg D. P., Ward J. I., Bayer A. S. Influence of Staphylococcus aureus antibody on experimental endocarditis in rabbits. Infect Immun. 1987 Dec;55(12):3030–3034. doi: 10.1128/iai.55.12.3030-3034.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Hochkeppel H. K., Braun D. G., Vischer W., Imm A., Sutter S., Staeubli U., Guggenheim R., Kaplan E. L., Boutonnier A., Fournier J. M. Serotyping and electron microscopy studies of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates with monoclonal antibodies to capsular polysaccharide types 5 and 8. J Clin Microbiol. 1987 Mar;25(3):526–530. doi: 10.1128/jcm.25.3.526-530.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Karakawa W. W., Fournier J. M., Vann W. F., Arbeit R., Schneerson R. S., Robbins J. B. Method for the serological typing of the capsular polysaccharides of Staphylococcus aureus. J Clin Microbiol. 1985 Sep;22(3):445–447. doi: 10.1128/jcm.22.3.445-447.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Karakawa W. W., Sutton A., Schneerson R., Karpas A., Vann W. F. Capsular antibodies induce type-specific phagocytosis of capsulated Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Infect Immun. 1988 May;56(5):1090–1095. doi: 10.1128/iai.56.5.1090-1095.1988. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Lee J. C., Betley M. J., Hopkins C. A., Perez N. E., Pier G. B. Virulence studies, in mice, of transposon-induced mutants of Staphylococcus aureus differing in capsule size. J Infect Dis. 1987 Nov;156(5):741–750. doi: 10.1093/infdis/156.5.741. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Lee J. C., Liu M. J., Parsonnet J., Arbeit R. D. Expression of type 8 capsular polysaccharide and production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 are associated among vaginal isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. J Clin Microbiol. 1990 Dec;28(12):2612–2615. doi: 10.1128/jcm.28.12.2612-2615.1990. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Lee J. C., Perez N. E., Hopkins C. A., Pier G. B. Purified capsular polysaccharide-induced immunity to Staphylococcus aureus infection. J Infect Dis. 1988 Apr;157(4):723–730. doi: 10.1093/infdis/157.4.723. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Lee J. C., Takeda S., Livolsi P. J., Paoletti L. C. Effects of in vitro and in vivo growth conditions on expression of type 8 capsular polysaccharide by Staphylococcus aureus. Infect Immun. 1993 May;61(5):1853–1858. doi: 10.1128/iai.61.5.1853-1858.1993. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Nelles M. J., Niswander C. A., Karakawa W. W., Vann W. F., Arbeit R. D. Reactivity of type-specific monoclonal antibodies with Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates and purified capsular polysaccharide. Infect Immun. 1985 Jul;49(1):14–18. doi: 10.1128/iai.49.1.14-18.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Nolan C. M., Beaty H. N. Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Current clinical patterns. Am J Med. 1976 Apr;60(4):495–500. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(76)90715-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Reynaud-Rondier L., Voiland A., Michel G. Conjugation of capsular polysaccharide to alpha-haemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus as a glycoprotein antigen. FEMS Microbiol Immunol. 1991 Aug;3(4):193–199. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04214.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Scheld W. M., Calderone R. A., Brodeur J. P., Sande M. A. Influence of preformed antibody on the pathogenesis of experimental Candida albicans endocarditis. Infect Immun. 1983 Jun;40(3):950–955. doi: 10.1128/iai.40.3.950-955.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Schennings T., Heimdahl A., Coster K., Flock J. I. Immunization with fibronectin binding protein from Staphylococcus aureus protects against experimental endocarditis in rats. Microb Pathog. 1993 Sep;15(3):227–236. doi: 10.1006/mpat.1993.1073. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Selinger D. S., Reed W. P. Pneumococcal adherence to human epithelial cells. Infect Immun. 1979 Feb;23(2):545–548. doi: 10.1128/iai.23.2.545-548.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Sheagren J. N. Staphylococcus aureus. The persistent pathogen (first of two parts). N Engl J Med. 1984 May 24;310(21):1368–1373. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198405243102107. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Sompolinsky D., Samra Z., Karakawa W. W., Vann W. F., Schneerson R., Malik Z. Encapsulation and capsular types in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from different sources and relationship to phage types. J Clin Microbiol. 1985 Nov;22(5):828–834. doi: 10.1128/jcm.22.5.828-834.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. St Geme J. W., 3rd, Falkow S. Loss of capsule expression by Haemophilus influenzae type b results in enhanced adherence to and invasion of human cells. Infect Immun. 1991 Apr;59(4):1325–1333. doi: 10.1128/iai.59.4.1325-1333.1991. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Takeda S., Pier G. B., Kojima Y., Tojo M., Muller E., Tosteson T., Goldmann D. A. Protection against endocarditis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis by immunization with capsular polysaccharide/adhesin. Circulation. 1991 Dec;84(6):2539–2546. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.84.6.2539. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Tamura G. S., Kuypers J. M., Smith S., Raff H., Rubens C. E. Adherence of group B streptococci to cultured epithelial cells: roles of environmental factors and bacterial surface components. Infect Immun. 1994 Jun;62(6):2450–2458. doi: 10.1128/iai.62.6.2450-2458.1994. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. WILKINSON J. F. The extracellualr polysaccharides of bacteria. Bacteriol Rev. 1958 Mar;22(1):46–73. doi: 10.1128/br.22.1.46-73.1958. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Xu S., Arbeit R. D., Lee J. C. Phagocytic killing of encapsulated and microencapsulated Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Infect Immun. 1992 Apr;60(4):1358–1362. doi: 10.1128/iai.60.4.1358-1362.1992. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. van de Rijn I. Analysis of cross-protection between serotypes and passively transferred immune globulin in experimental nutritionally variant streptococcal endocarditis. Infect Immun. 1988 Jan;56(1):117–121. doi: 10.1128/iai.56.1.117-121.1988. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Infection and Immunity are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES