Capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 23F (CPS23F)

The capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 23F is a complex, branched carbohydrate polymer that serves as the outermost layer of the bacterium (Kamerling, 2000). It is a primary virulence factor that enables the pathogen to evade the host's innate immune system by preventing opsonization and phagocytosis (Hyams et al., 2010). Serotype 23F has been frequently associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia, and is often linked to multi-drug resistance (Song et al., 2004). Due to its high prevalence and pathogenicity, it is included as a key antigen in several licensed vaccines, including the 13-valent, 15-valent, and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), as well as the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) (CDC, 2023). These vaccines induce the production of serotype-specific antibodies that facilitate the clearance of the bacteria through opsonophagocytosis (Pollard et al., 2009).

Other names

Pneumococcal polysaccharide serotype 23FS. pneumoniae serotype 23F capsular polysaccharideType 23F capsular polysaccharideStreptococcus pneumoniae serotype 23F antigen

Induction of serotype-specific opsonophagocytic antibodies (IgG) that facilitate bacterial clearance by host immune cells (PubMed: 19126564, CDC).