Data from: A Nonadjuvanted Whole-Inactivated Pneumococcal Vaccine Induces Multiserotype Opsonophagocytic Responses Mediated by Noncapsule-Specific Antibodies

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) remains a major cause of global mortality, with extensive antigenic diversity between capsular serotypes that poses an ongoing challenge for vaccine development. Widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) targeting Spn capsules has greatly reduced infections by vaccine-included serotypes, but has led to increased infections by non-included serotypes. To date, high cost of PCVs has also limited their usefulness in low-income regions where disease burdens are highest. To overcome these limitations, serotype-independent vaccines are being actively researched. We have developed a whole-cell gamma-irradiated Spn vaccine (termed Gamma-PN) providing serotype-independent protection. We demonstrate that Gamma-PN immunization via the clinically relevant intramuscular route induces protein-specific antibodies able to bind numerous non-vaccine encapsulated serotypes, which mediate opsonophagocytic killing and protection against lethal challenges. Gamma-PN induced comparable or superior OPKA responses to serotypes found in the licensed Prevnar13 (PCV13), and a superior response to non-included serotypes, including emergent 22F and 35B. Additionally, despite a lower observed reactogenicity, administration of Gamma-PN without adjuvant resulted in higher OPKA responses and improved protection compared to adjuvanted Gamma-PN. To our knowledge, this has never been demonstrated for a whole-inactivated Spn vaccine. Eliminating the requirement for adjuvant comes with numerous benefits for clinical applications of this vaccine, and poses interesting questions for the inclusion of adjuvant in similar vaccines in development.