# NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES:  GBS AND PNEUMOCOCCAL INFECTION

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 1992 · $669,589

## Abstract

The objective of this renewal program is to further explore the
natural history of infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae,
group B streptococcus (GBS), and Hemophilus  influenzae type b.
These three pathogens account for most serious bacterial infection
in infants and children and remain significant causes of disease
in otherwise healthy young women (GBS puerpural infections) and in
aging adults (the pneumococcus).  They share many biological and
immunological features, and their disease potential has continued
to be high, despite advances in antibiotic therapy and development
of vaccines.  Satisfactory modes of prevention have yet to be
realized.  This program will focus upon key aspects of host-
parasite relationships that may help explain the development of
disease and suggest new approaches to its prevention

The Core Project provides clinical support for the entire program.
While continuing to yield important epidemiologic information
through new and ongoing clinical studies, it provides essential
patient materials, bacterial isolates, and epidemiological data
from well defined patient populations.  Seroepidmeiological
investigations Project 1 will make use of these materials to more
precisely define "protection" in immunological terms.  Its studies
will evaluate functional (opsonophagocytic) antibody with respect
to measured properties, critically examining the roles of avidity
and blocking by specific IgA antibodies.  Studies of antibody
functions other than opsonization will focus upon the activation
of platelets and neutrophils in vitro and in acute disease.

The immunochemistry of GBS polysaccharides will be studied in
Project 2.  The similarities between GBS antigens and
glycoconjugates of the human host will be examined in relation to
colonization and disease.  The molecular basis for these
similarities will be studied with modern NMR techniques, monoclonal
antibodies, and chemically modified GBS antigens:  The concept of
"virulence"  will be examined with respect to biological properties
of the bacteria and their polysaccharide capsules.

Project 3 will study the surface protein antigens of the
pneumococci to develop a protein typing system and to evaluate the
possible application of surface proteins as candidate vaccines.
The epidemiology of surface protein--will be studied in correlation
with the human antibody response to pneumococcal colonization and
disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197538
- **Project number:** 5P01HD017812-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YND4PLMC9AN7
- **Principal Investigator:** BARRY M GRAY
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $669,589
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-07-01 → 1995-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197538

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197538, NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES:  GBS AND PNEUMOCOCCAL INFECTION (5P01HD017812-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197538. Licensed CC0.

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