TYPE I AND TYPE II SURFACE ANTIGENS ASSOCIATED WITH STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS

摘要

A process is disclosed for culturing clinical Staphylococcus epidermidis cellsthat reproducibly enables identification of alimited number of predominant serotypes. Two predominant serotypes common tomost clinical cases of S. epidermidis havebeen identified and are denoted Type I and Type II. A particularpolysaccharide surface antigen is associated with each of theType I and Type II serotypes. The surface antigens can be used to provideactive and passive immunization against S.epidermidis infection and to produce a hyperimmune immunoglobulin orantibodies for treatment of S. epidermidis infection.