Abstract:
Provided is an immunoassay method whereby all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains can be simultaneously detected at a high sensitivity. Specifically provided is a method for immunoassaying all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains characterized in that an antibody that recognizes P4 antigen or P6 antigen of influenza viruses is used.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject invention relates to an assay method for specifically detecting all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains, and to an assay device employed therein. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]      Haemophilus influenzae  is known as an indigenous bacterium in the human nasopharynx, similar to  Streptococcus pneumoniae . Also,  Haemophilus influenzae  is known to cause, for example, respiratory tract infection, otitis media, meningitis, or sepsis, particularly in infants or children in which  Haemophilus influenzae  is not a resident bacterium. Similar to the other infectious bacteria, drug resistance of  Haemophilus influenzae  caused by frequent use of antibacterial drugs causes problems such as intractable or severe symptoms, and thus selection of an appropriate antibacterial drug at the start of therapy is increasingly recognized to be important. In principle, in infectious disease treatment, determination of a pathogenic bacterium as early as possible, and selection of an appropriate therapeutic drug are important for improvement of prognosis, reduction of medical cost, and prevention of appearance of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, provision of a diagnostic reagent for rapidly detecting  Haemophilus - influenzae -derived common antigens is needed. 
         [0003]    Commonly used techniques for detecting  Haemophilus influenzae  include Gram staining, microscopic examination, cultivation, color reaction by utilizing enzymatic metabolism of cells, latex agglutination, and PCR. A  Haemophilus influenzae  antigen detection kit (Slidex Meningite-Kit 5, product of bioMerieux), employing latex agglutination, has been provided as a rapid diagnostic technique. Although the kit detects polysaccharide antigens of  Haemophilus influenzae  type b, it cannot be used for detecting non-encapsulated  Haemophilus influenzae . Meanwhile, a  Haemophilus influenzae  gene detection assay employing PCR, and such a gene detection assay which targets the P6 or P4 antigen of  Haemophilus influenzae  (i.e., a common antigen of  Haemophilus influenzae  strains) have been provided. However, the gene diagnostic assay employing PCR is currently less common because facilities where such an assay can be performed are limited. Also, a method employing a monoclonal antibody to the P6 antigen, in which  Haemophilus influenzae  is detected through western blotting (Non-Patent Document 1), has been reported. However, sensitivity of the method is so low that it cannot be used for clinical examination. 
         [0004]      Haemophilus influenzae  is a Gram-negative  bacillus , and is divided into encapsulated strains and non-encapsulated strains according to presence or absence of a capsule covering the bacterium. The encapsulated strains are classified into six serotypes (types from a to f) according to the structural difference of polysaccharide antigens present in the capsule. The non-encapsulated strains are classified as nontypable. Polyribosylribitol phosphate, which is a type b capsular polysaccharide, has been reported as a type b-specific antigen, however, such a polysaccharide as a specific antigen has not been found in the non-encapsulated strains. P2 protein, which is an extracellular membrane protein, has been known as a major antigen of  Haemophilus influenzae  strains. However, the antigen is frequently mutated, so antigenicity differs between strains. 
       PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Non-Patent Document 
       [0000]    
       
         Non-Patent Document 1: Journal of Clinical Microbiology (1989) 2263-2267 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0006]    As described above, common  Haemophilus influenzae  antigens have not yet been fully found, and thus, any immunological methods capable of detecting all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains through a single procedure have not yet been provided. 
         [0007]    An object of the subject invention for solving the aforementioned problems is to provide an immunological assay method capable of detecting all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains through a single procedure with high sensitivity. Another object of the subject invention is to provide an assay device employing the method. 
       Means for Solving the Problems 
       [0008]    In order to solve the aforementioned objects, the subject inventors have conducted extensive studies, and have focused on P4 and P6 proteins, both are known to be present in  Haemophilus influenzae  and to be relatively less likely to be mutated. However, the expression level of these proteins in  Haemophilus influenzae  is lower than the other antigens, therefore, even when antibodies recognizing the proteins are prepared, detection of all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains with high sensitivity by means of such antibodies has been considered to be difficult. Further, a lot of bacteria possess proteins exhibiting high degree of homology with P4 and P6 proteins, therefore, specific detection of  Haemophilus influenzae  has been considered to be difficult. However, beyond our expectations, the subject inventors have succeeded in preparation of an antibody which can highly selectively recognize P4 or P6 protein. Also, the subject inventors have found that such an antibody is less likely to be affected by, for example, contamination of bacteria such as  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  or  Escherichia coli , which may be easily contaminated into the assay system during assay. The subject invention has been accomplished according to these findings. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the subject invention provides an immunological assay method for detection of all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains, characterized by comprising employing an antibody which recognizes P4 antigen or P6 antigen of  Haemophilus influenzae.    
         [0010]    The subject invention also provides an immunological assay device for detection of all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains, characterized by comprising an antibody which recognizes P4 antigen or P6 antigen of  Haemophilus influenzae.    
       Effects of the Invention 
       [0011]    The immunological assay device can be provided through establishment of the high-sensitivity assay method of the subject invention, which is applicable to all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains. The assay device realizes convenient and rapid detection of all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains infected in the case of, for example, otitis media. The method of the subject invention is particularly useful for detection of otitis media caused by  Haemophilus influenzae.    
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows reactivity of anti-P4 PoAbs ( 1   a ) or anti-P6 PoAbs ( 1   b ) to an immunogen (i.e., a common antigen of  Haemophilus influenzae  (P6 or P4)) in ELISA. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows reactivity of an anti-P6 PoAb to NTHi P6 ( 2   a ) or disrupted cells of Non typable  Haemophilus influenzae  (NTHi) ( 2   b ) in ELISA. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows reactivity of an anti-P6 PoAb to various bacterial strains (Table 1) in ELISA. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows reactivity of an anti-P4 PoAb to recombinant P4 ( 4   a ) or disrupted cells of NTHi ( 4   b ) in ELISA. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows cross-reactivity of an anti-P4 PoAb to various bacterial strains (Table 1) in ELISA. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows structure of a general immunochromatographic device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows state where a sample is developed on an immunochromatographic strip. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows reactivity of an anti-P6 PoAb to NTHi P6 ( 8   a ) or disrupted cells of NTHi in immunochromatography ( 8   b ). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The assay method of the subject invention is applied to  Haemophilus influenzae , including encapsulated strains (from a to f types) and non-encapsulated strains. Specifically, the assay method is applied to their strains in which the P4 antigen or the P6 antigen is expressed. Diseases caused by  Haemophilus influenzae  include, for example, respiratory tract infection, otitis media, meningitis and sepsis in infants or children. In the case of such a disease, when a sample is collected from inflammatory area, the sample may be contaminated with other bacteria, and the bacteria may react with a component of the assay system. In contrast, a characteristic feature of the assay method of the subject invention is characterized in that the antibody employed does not react with bacteria containing, as a component, protein exhibiting homology with the P6 antigen or the P4 antigen; for example,  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , or  Escherichia coli . Generally, when a polyclonal antibody to a specific antigen is prepared and employed in an assay system, the antibody exhibits cross-reactivity with bacteria possessing an antigen exhibiting homology with the specific antigen. Therefore, an antibody to the P6 antigen or the P4 antigen is also expected to exhibit cross-reactivity with bacteria other than  Haemophilus influenzae . Further, even when a polyclonal antibody to the P6 or P4 antigen (i.e., minor components of  Haemophilus influenzae ) can be prepared, the antibody is generally expected to be disadvantageous in terms of assay sensitivity. Therefore, there has not yet been reported an assay system employing a polyclonal antibody to the P6 antigen or the P4 antigen. However, in the case of the assay system of the subject invention employing such a polyclonal antibody, contrary to our expectations, the antibody exhibits significantly low cross-reactivity to bacteria which may be contaminated into a sample collected as described above; for example,  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , or  Escherichia coli  (see  FIG. 3 ). Thus, the method of the subject invention can detect all  Haemophilus influenzae  with higher sensitivity than expected. 
         [0021]    The antibody employed in the subject invention, which recognizes the P4 antigen or the P6 antigen of  Haemophilus influenzae , may be prepared by immunizing an animal with the P4 antigen or the P6 antigen, and collecting, for example, antiserum or eggs from the animal. 
         [0022]    The P4 antigen or the P6 antigen employed for immunization may be obtained from  Haemophilus influenzae , or may be prepared through recombination method. From the viewpoint of assay sensitivity, the P4 antigen or the P6 antigen extracted from  Haemophilus influenzae  is preferably employed. The P4 antigen or the P6 antigen may be whole P4 protein or P6 protein, or a partial polypeptide thereof. 
         [0023]    Among the P4 antigen and the P6 antigen, the P6 antigen is preferably employed, from the viewpoints of specificity and sensitivity to  Haemophilus influenzae.    
         [0024]    The nucleotide sequence corresponding to the P6 antigen and the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence are shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 (accession No. M19391). The nucleotide sequence corresponding to the P4 antigen and the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence are shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 (accession No. M68502). 
         [0025]    The followings are described for employing the P6 antigen, however, the P4 antigen can also be employed in a similar manner. 
       Preparation of Recombinant P6 or P4 Antigen 
       [0026]    Example of P6 antigen is hereinafter described. The P6 polynucleotide may be produced and obtained through chemical DNA synthesis on the basis of the sequence information of SEQ ID NO: 1, alternatively, may be readily produced and obtained through a common genetic engineering technique [see, for example, Molecular Cloning 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Press (1989); or  Zoku Seikagaku Jikken Koza “Idenshi Kenkyuho I, II, III ” edited by the Japanese Biochemical Society (1986)]. 
         [0027]    Examples of the chemical DNA synthesis include solid-phase synthesis employing phosphoramidite method. This synthesis method may employ an automated synthesizer. 
         [0028]    In the case where a common genetic engineering technique is employed, specifically, the P6 polynucleotide may be produced by preparing a cDNA library according to usual method from an appropriate origin in which the P6 polynucleotide is expressed, and selecting a clone of interest from the cDNA library by using an appropriate probe or an antibody specific to the P6 polynucleotide [see, for example, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA., 78, 6613 (1981); or Science, 122, 778 (1983)]. 
         [0029]    The origin of cDNA is not particularly limited so long as the origin is a microorganism in which the P6 polynucleotide is expressed. Specifically, the origin employed is preferably  Haemophilus influenzae.    
         [0030]    Separation of total RNA from such an origin, separation and purification of mRNA, preparation and cloning of cDNA, or the other process may be carried out according to usual method. The method for screening the P6 polynucleotide from the cDNA library is not particularly limited, and this screening may be carried out according to usual method. Specific examples of the screening method include a method of selecting a corresponding cDNA clone through immunological screening employing an antibody specific to a polypeptide produced by the cDNA; a plaque hybridization method employing a probe which selectively binds to a nucleotide sequence of interest; a colony hybridization method; and combinations thereof. 
         [0031]    The probe employed in aforementioned hybridization methods is generally, for example, a DNA fragment chemically synthesized on the basis of the nucleotide sequence information of the P6 polynucleotide. The probe employed for the aforementioned screening may be a sense primer and/or antisense primer designed on the basis of the nucleotide sequence information of the polynucleotide of the subject invention. 
         [0032]    For preparation of the P6 polynucleotide, the DNA or RNA amplification method through PCR [Science, 130, 1350 (1985)] or a modification thereof may be suitably employed. Particularly when full-length cDNA is difficult to be obtained from the library, for example, the RACE method [Rapid amplification of cDNA ends;  Jikken Igaku,  12 (6), 35 (1994)], in particular, the 5′-RACE method [M. A. Frohman, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA., 8, 8998 (1988)] is suitably employed. 
         [0033]    Primer employed for the aforementioned PCR may be appropriately designed on the basis of the sequence information of the P6 polynucleotide, and may be synthesized according to usual method. Isolation/purification of the thus-amplified DNA or RNA fragment may be carried out according to usual method as described above; for example, gel electrophoresis or hybridization method. 
         [0034]    When the P6 polynucleotide is employed, an expression product of the polynucleotide (i.e., the aforementioned polypeptide) can be readily and reliably produced in a large amount according to usual genetic engineering technique. 
       Expression Vector 
       [0035]    The expression vector employed is not particularly limited, so long as it contains the P6 polynucleotide and expresses the P6 polynucleotide. Generally, the expression vector is appropriately selected in consideration of the relationship between the vector and a host cell. 
         [0036]    When the host cell employed is a prokaryotic cell, the expression vector may be, for example, an expression plasmid which can be replicated in the host cell and contains a promoter and an SD (Shine-Dalgarno) nucleotide sequence provided upstream of the aforementioned polynucleotide so that the polynucleotide can be expressed therein. Specific examples of the expression vector include expression plasmids having a P L  promoter, a T7 promoter, and a lac promoter. Examples of other preferred bacterial expression vectors include plasmids pKK233-2 and pKK233-3 having a tac promoter or a trc promoter. The expression vector employed is not limited to these examples, and any known strains or vectors may be used. 
         [0037]    When the host cell employed is a vertebrate cell, the expression vector may be generally a vector containing, for example, a promoter located upstream of the aforementioned polynucleotide to be expressed, an RNA splice site, a polyadenylation site, or a transcription termination sequence. If necessary, such a vector may further contain a replication origin. Eukaryotic vectors useful for insertion of the aforementioned polynucleotide are commonly known. Examples of appropriate eukaryotic vectors include pCD and pCMV. Examples of other optional vectors include pMSG and pSVL employing an MMTV or SV40 late promoter. 
       Recombinant Cell 
       [0038]    A recombinant cell (transformant) is produced through transformation by use of an expression vector containing the P6 polynucleotide. 
         [0039]    The host cell employed for production of a recombinant cell may be a prokaryotic cell or a eukaryotic cell. 
         [0040]    The prokaryotic cell employed as a host cell may be a bacterial cell widely used for gene recombination. Examples of the bacteria include  Escherichia coli, Streptomyces, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus , and  Staphylococcus . The bacteria are particularly preferably, for example,  Escherichia coli  or  Bacillus subtilis.    
         [0041]    Examples of the eukaryotic cell employed as a host cell include cells of eukaryotic microorganisms such as yeast and  Aspergillus ; insect cells such as  Drosophila  S2 cell and  Spodoptera  Sf9 cell; and animal and plant cells such as L cell, CHO cell, COS cell, HeLa cell, C127 cell, BALB/c3T3 cell (including mutant strains lacking, for example, dihydrofolate reductase or thymidine kinase), BHK21 cell, HEK293 cell, Bowes melanoma cell, and oocyte. 
         [0042]    The method for incorporating the aforementioned expression vector into a host cell is not particularly limited, and any common method may be employed. For example, incorporation of the aforementioned expression vector into a host cell may be carried out through any technique described in many standard laboratory manuals, including Davis, et al. (BASIC METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 1986) and Sambrook, et al. (MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989). Specific examples of the technique include calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, transvection, microinjection, cationic-lipid-mediated transfection, electroporation, transduction, scrape loading, ballistic introduction, and infection. 
       Production of P6 Antigen Peptide by Use of Recombinant Cell 
       [0043]    For production of the P6 polypeptide, P6-polynucleotide-incorporated recombinant cells may be cultured, and the P6 polypeptide may be collected from the thus-cultured cells and/or the resultant culture product. 
         [0044]    Passage culture or batch culture may be carried out by use of a culture medium suitable for the host employed. Culturing may be carried out until an appropriate amount of the P6 polypeptide is produced inside and outside of the recombinant cells. 
         [0045]    The culture medium employed for culturing may be appropriately selected from conventionally used ones in consideration of the host cell employed. Culturing may be carried out under conditions suitable for growth of the host cell. 
         [0046]    For separation or purification of the thus-produced P6 polypeptide, the polypeptide may optionally be subjected to any separation method utilizing, for example, its physical or chemical properties [see, for example, “Biochemical Data Book II,” pp. 1175-1259, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, Jun. 23, 1980, published by Tokyo Kagaku Dojin; Biochemistry, 25 (25), 8274 (1986); and Eur. J. Biochem., 163, 313 (1987)]. Specific examples of the method include those similar to the method for isolation/purification of a protein of interest described below in the section “extraction and isolation of antigen.” 
       Method for Extraction and Isolation of P6 Antigen Peptide 
       [0047]    Hereinafter, a method for isolation and purification of the P6 peptide from a microorganism having P6 polypeptide production ability is described. Firstly, microorganism cells having P6 polypeptide production ability are disrupted in order to prepare a crude extract from the microorganism. Cell disruption is carried out through commonly used cell disruption treatment method, such as treatment with a crusher (e.g., French press or cell mill) or ultrasonication in a hypotonic solution. The resultant crude extract may be supplemented with an appropriate buffer. 
         [0048]    For more purification of the resultant crude extract, the crude extract may be further subjected to purification treatment, such as ammonium sulfate precipitation, organic solvent precipitation with, for example, ethanol, or isoelectric precipitation. Subsequently, the crude extract may be subjected to ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, any affinity chromatography, reversed-phase chromatography, hydroxyapatite column chromatography etc., to thereby prepare a fraction containing the P6 polypeptide. Such chromatographic treatment may optionally employ an open column or HPLC. The purity of the thus-prepared fraction containing the P6 polypeptide may be conveniently estimated through electrophoresis (in particular, SDS-PAGE) in a visible manner. The P6 polypeptide may be determined through, for example, amino acid sequence analysis, mass spectrometry employing a mass spectrometer (e.g., MALDI-TOF MS, ESI Q-TOF MS, or MALDI Q-TOF MS), or peptide mass finger printing. 
       Production of Antibody 
       [0049]    The P6 antigen peptide or P6-antigen-peptide-recognizing antibody employed for the assay may be produced through a customary method. Preferably, a polyclonal antibody is employed. 
         [0050]    A polyclonal antibody may be produced through the following procedure: a warm-blooded animal (e.g., rabbit, sheep, guinea pig, or chicken) is immunized a plurality of times with an emulsion prepared by generally mixing the aforementioned antigen of interest with complete Freund&#39;s adjuvant, and the resultant antiserum is obtained through a commonly used method. In the case where a chicken is employed, the chicken is immunized a plurality of times with the aforementioned immunogen, and IgY is produced in an egg from the chicken. Thus-produced IgY is obtained from the yolk of the egg through a commonly used method. 
       Construction of Assay System 
       [0051]    The  Haemophilus influenzae  assay method of the subject invention preferably employs a polyclonal antibody which recognizes the P6 antigen or the P4 antigen. The test sample employed may be  Haemophilus influenzae  or an extract of  Haemophilus influenzae . Particularly preferably, a polyclonal antibody which recognizes the P6 antigen is employed. 
         [0052]    Typical examples of the assay device employing the immunological method of the subject invention include ELISA and immunochromatography assay devices. Other preferred examples include a technique employing an antibody to the subject, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA). 
       ELISA Method 
       [0053]    When, for example, the sandwich ELISA method is employed, generally, a primary antibody (anti-P6 polyclonal antibody or anti-P4 polyclonal antibody) is immobilized onto a 96-well plate, and a biological sample (blood, serum, plasma, or another body fluid component (in particular, middle ear fluid (e.g., discharge from the ear), pharyngeal swab, or urine)), or, if necessary, a preparation obtained by diluting such a sample with an appropriate buffer is added to the plate for contact with the antibody for a certain period of time, to thereby bind the antigen to the corresponding antibody. Thereafter, the plate is washed with an appropriate buffer, and then a labeled secondary antibody (labeled anti-P6 antibody or labeled anti-P4 antibody) is reacted with the antigen-antibody complex. When, for example, the labeling substance is biotin, peroxidase-labeled avidin (or streptavidin) is reacted with the labeled antibody, and an appropriate reaction substrate (e.g., TBM) is added for color development. After a certain period of time, colorimetric determination is carried out at a specific wavelength (in this case, 450 nm). The avidin-labeled antibody may be labeled with, for example, peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glucose oxidase or tyrosinase. The substrate employed is not particularly limited, so long as it is commercially available and is generally used. 
         [0054]    The labeled antibody includes a biotin-labeled antibody (avidin or streptavidin is used thereto), or the secondary antibody may be labeled with, for example, peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glucose oxidase, or tyrosinase. The substrate employed is not particularly limited, so long as it is commercially available and is generally used. 
       Immunochromatography Assay Device 
       [0055]    Immunochromatography may be carried out through a general technique shown in  FIG. 6 . A simple immunochromatographic device includes a sample applying portion (sample pad) attached at one end of a plastic sheet; a portion on which a gold-colloid-labeled anti-P6 PoAb is dry-fixed (gold pad); a nitrocellulose portion; and a portion which absorbs excess sample (absorption pad). The sample pad or the absorption pad is preferably formed of glass fiber filter paper, cellulose, cotton, or filter paper made of a mixture thereof. The nitrocellulose portion preferably has a pore size of 1.0 to 20 μm (more preferably 5.0 to 10.0 μm). When the gold-colloid-labeled anti-P6 PoAb is employed in the form of solution, the gold pad is not required. 
         [0056]    On the test line of the nitrocellulose portion is applied the aforementioned P6 PoAb at a concentration of 0.1 to 10 mg/mL (preferably 0.2 to 5 mg/mL). On the control line, for example, a goat or mouse IgG having anti-rabbit IgG activity is applied at a concentration of 0.1 to 10 mg/mL. After drying, for example, a protein or a polymer is used for blocking. Proteins such as BSA, casein or gelatin, or a polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), or polyethylene glycol (PEG) may be used for blocking. Particle size of the gold colloid using the label of antibody is preferably 20 to 150 nm (more preferably 30 to 100 nm). The antibody may be labeled with the colloid through adsorption or covalent binding via, for example, another protein. The gold colloid may be replaced with colored latex particles or another noble metal colloid. Similar to the case of the nitrocellulose portion, blocking of the gold colloid labeled antibody may be carried out by use of a protein such as BSA, casein, or gelatin, or a polymer such as PVA, PVP, or PEG. Thus-assembled test strip may be placed in a plastic casing and employed for the assay. 
       Diagnosis Kit 
       [0057]    The presence or absence of the infection of  Haemophilus influenzae  in, for example, an otitis media patient can be determined by measuring the amount of the P4 antigen or the P6 antigen contained in a test sample from the patient. According to the subject invention, a kit composition containing a reagent for immunochromatography or an ELISA kit can be provided. Particularly, the kit includes therein an antibody to the P4 antigen or the P6 antigen. The kit further includes, for example, albumin such as BSA, a secondary antibody, and an enzyme substrate (in the case where an enzyme is employed for labeling). When, for example, the labeled antibody is a biotin-labeled antibody, the assay kit may include peroxidase-labeled avidin as a secondary antibody. A kit for diagnosis of all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains including, for example, a substrate for the peroxidase may also be provided. 
         [0058]    The method of the subject invention can specifically detect  Haemophilus influenzae  in various infectious diseases. Therefore, when an infected subject is diagnosed as positive by the method of the subject invention, the infection can be determined to be caused by  Haemophilus influenzae . Examples of the disease to which the subject invention is applied include respiratory tract infection, otitis media, and sepsis in infants or children. Most cases of otitis media are not caused by infection with  Haemophilus parainfluenzae  (International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (2003) 67, 43-51). Therefore, the method of the subject invention is particularly useful for detecting  Haemophilus influenzae  strains in otitis media. 
       Examples 
       [0059]    The examples of the subject invention are described hereinafter, which should not be construed as limiting the invention thereto. 
       1. Production of Anti-P6 or Anti-P4 Antibody 
       [0060]    P6 protein or P4 protein was prepared through direct extraction from cells or prepared as a recombinant protein using  Escherichia coli , and a rabbit was immunized with the prepared protein, to thereby produce a polyclonal antibody. Subsequently, an ELISA system was constructed by use of thus-produced antibody, and evaluated. In addition, an immunochromatography system employing the antibody was constructed, and determined whether or not the system can be used for rapid diagnosis. 
       1-1. Preparation of Antigen 
     1-1-1. Preparation of P6 Antigen 
       [0061]    The P6 antigen was obtained through the following two processes: direct extraction from  Haemophilus influenzae  cells, and preparation by recombinant technology using  Escherichia coli.    
         [0000]    Extraction from Cells 
         [0062]    The P6 antigen was extracted from cells according to the method of Kodama, et al. (Infection and Immunity, 68, 2294-2300 (2000)). Specifically, non-encapsulated  Haemophilus influenzae  cells (NTHi (ATCC No. 9333)) were cultured in a chocolate agar medium supplemented with bacitracin (product of BD), and thus-cultured cells were collected as precipitate through scraping and centrifugation. The precipitate was suspended in a buffer containing 1% SDS/0.1M Tris/0.5M NaCl/0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol (pH: 8.0), followed by sonication and then heating at 37° C. for 30 minutes. The precipitate obtained through centrifugation was suspended in the aforementioned buffer supplemented with 10 μg/mL RNase A (product of SIGMA), followed by sonication and heating at 37° C. for 30 minutes. Subsequently, centrifugation was carried out, and the resultant precipitate was suspended in a buffer containing no RNase A, followed by sonication and heating. This procedure was carried out twice. Thereafter, centrifugation was carried out, and the resultant precipitate was suspended in a buffer containing 0.01M Tris/0.15M NaCl (pH: 7.4), followed by sonication and heating at 65° C. for 30 minutes. The supernatant obtained through centrifugation was concentrated by means of centrifugal ultrafiltration, and the concentrate was employed as an antigen. 
         [0000]    Preparation by Recombinant Technology Using  Escherichia coli    
         [0063]    The P6 gene (mature form) lacking a signal sequence of  Haemophilus influenzae  type b strain (Hib) (ATCC No. 10211) was amplified through direct PCR using 5′-GCGGGATCCTGTAGTTCCTCTAACAACGATGCT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 3) as a forward primer, and 5′-GCGGAGCTCGTACGCTAACACTGCACGACGGTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 4) as a reverse primer. The PCR was carried out by means of GeneAmp™ PCR System 9700 (product of PE Applied Biosystems) employing TaKaRa rTaq (product of Takara). Thus-amplified fragment was inserted into a subcloning vector pCR™ 2.1 (product of Invitrogen). The sequence of the amplified P6 gene was confirmed, and subsequently a fragment cleaved at BamHI and XhoI sites was inserted into an expression vector pET21a (product of MERCK), to thereby prepare a plasmid for recombinant P6 expression (P6-pET21a). The plasmid was transfected into  Escherichia coli  BL21, and then expression of the recombinant P6 antigen was induced under the 1 mM IPTG at 37° C. condition for three hours. After precipitation of cells by centrifugation, the cells were lysed with BugBuster™ Protein Extraction Reagent (product of MERCK), and a soluble fraction was recovered through centrifugation. The histidine-tagged recombinant P6 antigen was applied to a Ni column (HisTrap™ HP, product of GE Healthcare) equilibrated with an equilibration buffer (100 mM phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, 50 mM imidazole, pH: 7.8), and the column was washed sequentially with the equilibration buffer and a washing buffer (100 mM phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, 50 mM imidazole, pH: 6), followed by elution with an elution buffer (100 mM phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, 200 mM imidazole, pH 6). Thus-purified recombinant P6 antigen was dialyzed against D-PBS(−) at 4° C. overnight and then concentrated through centrifugal ultrafiltration. 
       1-1-2. Preparation of P4 Antigen 
       [0064]    The P4 antigen was prepared only as  Escherichia coli  recombinant protein. Preparation was carried out following almost the same manner as in the case of the recombinant P6 antigen. Firstly, the P4 gene (mature form) lacking a signal sequence was amplified through direct PCR by using, as a template, cells of a non-encapsulated  Haemophilus influenzae  strain (NTHi) (ATCC No. 9333). The PCR was carried out by means of GeneAmp™ PCR System 9700 employing TaKaRa ExTaq (product of Takara), 5′-GCGGGATCCTGTGGTTCACACCAAATGAAATC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 5) as a forward primer, and 5′-GCGCTCGAGTTTACCATCCCAAGCTTGTACTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 6) as a reverse primer. The thus-amplified fragment was treated with restriction enzymes BamHI and XhoI, and the cleaved fragment was inserted into BamHI and XhoI sites of an expression vector pET21a, to thereby prepare a plasmid for recombinant P4 expression (P4m-pET21a). The plasmid was transfected into  Escherichia coli  BL21, and then expression of the recombinant P4 antigen was induced under the 1 mM IPTG, 37° C. condition for three hours. After collection of cells by centrifugation, the cells were lysed with BugBuster™ Protein Extraction Reagent, and a soluble fraction was recovered through centrifugation. The histidine-tagged recombinant P4 antigen was applied to a Ni column equilibrated with the equilibration buffer, and the column was washed sequentially with the equilibration buffer and the washing buffer, followed by elution with the elution buffer. The thus-purified recombinant P4 antigen was dialyzed against D-PBS(−) at 4° C. overnight and then concentrated through centrifugal ultrafiltration. 
       1-2. Production of Antibody 
       [0065]    Rabbits were subcutaneously immunized with each of the thus-prepared immunogens together with an adjuvant (e.g., Freund&#39;s adjuvant). Immunization (dose: 100 μg/body) was carried out five to six times every other week. Two individuals were immunized with each antigen, and whole blood collected from each individual was subjected to centrifugation. Thereafter, the resultant antiserum was frozen and stored. An appropriate amount of the antiserum was thawed and then purified using affinity purification using Protein A and gel filtration. The resultant antibody was employed as a polyclonal antibody (PoAb). 
       1-3. Reactivity of PoAb 
       [0066]    The titer of each PoAb produced through the aforementioned method was evaluated through the below-described ELISA. Firstly, the recombinant P4 antigen, the recombinant P6 antigen, or the extracted P6 antigen, serving as an immunogen, was immobilized onto an ELISA plate (1 μg/mL), followed by blocking with, for example, bovine serum albumin (BSA). The anti-P4 PoAbs purified from two individuals were added (1 μg/mL each) to the recombinant-P4-antigen-immobilized plate for antigen-antibody reaction. The four anti-P6 PoAbs obtained by use of the two P6 antigens were added (1 μg/mL each) to the recombinant-P6-antigen-immobilized plate and the extracted-P6-antigen-immobilized plate for antigen-antibody reaction. After washing, each of the resultant antigen-antibody complexes was reacted with an anti-rabbit IgG antibody (product of ZYMED) labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), followed by color development by use of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). A BSA-immobilized plate was employed as a reference. For determination of the reactivity of each of the above-obtained PoAbs to cells, disrupted NTHi cells (ATCC No. 9333) obtained through, for example, surfactant treatment or sonication were immobilized onto a plate (1 μg/mL), and ELISA was carried out in a manner similar to that described above. The results are shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . Both anti-P4 and anti-P6 PoAbs were found to show reactivity not only to the corresponding immunogens, but also to the disrupted cells, which suggested that these PoAbs are possible to be used for construction of a sandwich ELISA system for detecting  Haemophilus influenzae  antigens. 
         [0000]    2. Construction of ELISA System for Detection of P6 or P4 Antigen, and Evaluation of their Performance (ELISA Example) 
       2-1. Sandwich ELISA for Detection of P6 Antigen 
       [0067]    The anti-P6 PoAb (anti-NTHi P6 PoAb No. 2) was immobilized onto an ELISA plate (5 μg/mL), followed by blocking with, for example, BSA. The immunogen or disrupted cells which had been appropriately diluted stepwise were added to the antibody-immobilized plate for reaction. After washing, the antigen-antibody complex was reacted with a biotin-labeled antibody prepared through labeling of the same type of PoAb as the immobilized anti-P6 PoAb. After washing again, HRP-labeled streptavidin was added to the plate for reaction, followed by color development with TMB.  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show examples of dose-dependent curves. As shown therein, the P6 antigen was detected at 30 pg/mL or more, and disrupted NTHi cells (ATCC No. 8149) were detected at 10 3  to 10 7  CFU/mL. 
       2-2. Cross-Reactivity of Sandwich ELISA for Detection of P6 Antigen 
       [0068]    The cross-reactivity of the anti-P6 PoAb to a variety of bacteria shown in Table 1 was evaluated through the aforementioned sandwich ELISA. The results are shown in  FIG. 3 . All  Haemophilus influenzae  strains (including both encapsulated and non-encapsulated strains) were successfully detected. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 No. 
                 ATCC No. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 
                 25285 
                 
                   Bacteroides fragilis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 BAA-589 
                 
                   Bordetella pertussis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 66396 
                 
                   Candida albicans 
                 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 10700 
                 
                   Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                 14116 
                 
                   Cryptococcus neoformants 
                 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 8486 
                 
                   Eubacterium limosum 
                 
               
               
                   
                 7 
                 9006 
                   Haemophilus influenzae , a 
               
               
                   
                 8 
                 10211 
                   Haemophilus ingluenzae , b 
               
               
                   
                 9 
                 9007 
                   Haemophilus influenzae , c 
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 9008 
                   Haemophilus influenzae , d 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 8142 
                   Haemophilus influenzae , e 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 700222 
                   Haemophilus influenzae , f 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 7901 
                 
                   Haemophilus parainfluenzae 
                 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 9997 
                 
                   Klebsilla pneumoniae 
                 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 33152 
                 
                   Legionella pneumophila 
                 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 33153 
                 
                   Legionella pneumophila 
                 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 33216 
                 
                   Legionella pneumophila 
                 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 33270 
                 
                   Micromonas micros 
                 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 8193 
                 
                   Moraxella catarrhalis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 6250 
                 
                   Neisseria meningitidis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 15032 
                 
                   Prebotella intermedia 
                 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 25845 
                 
                   Prebotella melaninogenica 
                 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 9027 
                 
                   Pseudomonas aeruginosa 
                 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 700699 
                 
                   Staphylococcus aureus 
                 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 14776 
                 
                   Staphylococcus aureus 
                 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 33397 
                   Streptococcus anginosus  (group G) 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 12386 
                   Streptococcus agalactiae  (group B) 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 27513 
                 
                   Streptococcus constellaus 
                 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 27823 
                 
                   Streptococcus constellaus 
                 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 9528 
                   Streptococcus equi  (group C) 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 9895 
                 
                   Streptococcus intermedius 
                 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 27335 
                 
                   Streptococcus intermedius 
                 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 49456 
                 
                   Streptococcus mitis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 35037 
                   Streptococcus oralis  (group A) 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 6303 
                 
                   Streptococcus pneumoniae 
                 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 10556 
                 
                   Streptococcus sanguis 
                 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 9963 
                   Streptococcus  sp. (group F) 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 8149 
                   Haemophilus influenzae , nontype 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 9333 
                   Haemophilus influenzae , nontype 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 49619 
                 
                   Streptococcus pneumoniae 
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 No.5: 4.3E5 cfu/ml, No.34: 7.0E5 cfu/ml, Other: 1E6 cfu/ml 
               
             
          
         
       
     
       2-3. Sandwich ELISA for Detection of P4 Antigen 
       [0069]    Assay was carried out in almost the same manner as the aforementioned sandwich ELISA for detection of the P6 antigen. The anti-P4 PoAb (anti-P4 rec. PoAb No. 2) was immobilized onto an ELISA plate (5 μg/mL), followed by blocking with, for example, BSA. The immunogen or disrupted cells which had been appropriately diluted stepwise were added to the antibody-immobilized plate for reaction. After washing, the antigen-antibody complex was reacted with a biotin-labeled antibody prepared through labeling of the same type of PoAb as the immobilized anti-P4 PoAb. After washing again, HRP-labeled streptavidin was added to the plate for reaction, followed by color development with TMB.  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show examples of dose-dependent curves. As shown therein, the P4 antigen was detected at 100 pg/mL or more, and disrupted NTHi cells were detected at 10 3  to 10 7  CFU/mL. 
       2-4. Cross-Reactivity of Sandwich ELISA for Detection of P4 Antigen 
       [0070]    The cross-reactivity of the anti-P4 PoAb to a variety of bacteria shown in Table 1 was evaluated through the aforementioned sandwich ELISA. The results are shown in  FIG. 5 . All  Haemophilus influenzae  strains (including both encapsulated and non-encapsulated strains) were successfully detected. 
         [0071]    Thus, a sandwich ELISA system capable of detecting mainly  Haemophilus influenzae  antigens was constructed by use of any of the above-produced anti-P6 PoAbs or anti-P4 PoAbs, which suggested that these PoAbs are possible to be used for construction of an immunochromatography assay system. 
       3. Construction of Immunochromatography Assay System for Detection of P6 Antigen, and Evaluation of the Performance Thereof 
     3-1. Performance of Sandwich Immunochromatography Employing Anti-P6 Poab 
       [0072]    The gold-colloid-labeled anti-P6 PoAb prepared through the aforementioned procedure was diluted with, for example, a phosphate buffer containing a surfactant, and then mixed with the extracted P6 antigen. The resultant mixture was developed on an antibody-immobilized test strip through a technique as shown in  FIG. 7 . After washing with the aforementioned buffer, the signal intensity of each appeared test line was analyzed by means of a densitometer for quantification. The results are shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b . As shown therein, in the case of the immunogen, the signal on the test line was detected at 1 ng/mL (minimum concentration in this assay) or more. In the case of disrupted NTHi cells, the signal on the test line was detected in a cell-concentration-dependent manner at 3×10 4  CFU/mL or more. Thus, an immunochromatographic assay system capable of detecting  Haemophilus influenzae  antigens was constructed by use of the anti-P6 PoAb.