GENES OF AN OTITIS MEDIA ISOLATE OF NONTYPEABLE HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide polynucleotide sequences of a Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof.SOLUTION: The invention relates to NTHi genes which are up-regulated during NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx or in response to the infection. The invention also provides antibodies specific to the NTHi polypeptides of the invention. The invention contemplates a method for detecting NTHi bacteria in a human or a sample such as serum, sputum, ear fluid, blood, urine, lymphatic fluid and cerebrospinal fluid. Such a method comprises detection of NTHi polynucleotides using specific polynucleotide probes, or detection of NTHi polypeptides using specific antibodies. The invention also contemplates diagnostic kits utilizing the methods for detecting NTHi bacteria.SELECTED DRAWING: None