Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 14 capsular polysaccharide antigen (Pn14PS)

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 14 capsular polysaccharide antigen is a complex carbohydrate structure that forms the outermost layer of the serotype 14 pneumococcus bacterium (Source: PubMed, PMID: 11854358). This polysaccharide is a critical virulence factor that protects the pathogen from host immune recognition and phagocytosis by inhibiting complement deposition (Source: UniProt). Serotype 14 is historically one of the most common causes of invasive pneumococcal disease, particularly in children (Source: CDC). As a therapeutic target, this antigen is utilized in both polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines, such as Prevnar 20 and Pneumovax 23, to elicit protective immunity (Source: FDA). Vaccination induces the production of opsonizing antibodies that facilitate the clearance of the bacteria by neutrophils and macrophages. Monitoring of antibody titers and opsonophagocytic activity serves as a primary measure of vaccine efficacy against this specific serotype (Source: StatPearls). The chemical structure consists of a repeating tetrasaccharide unit containing glucose, galactose, and N-acetylglucosamine (Source: PubChem).

Other names

Pneumococcal polysaccharide serotype 14CPS14Type 14 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharideStreptococcus pneumoniae type 14 capsular polysaccharidePn14 CPS

Induction of serotype-specific IgG antibodies that facilitate opsonophagocytosis and complement-mediated killing of the bacteria.