Molecular and genetic characterization of the capsule biosynthesis locus of streptococcus penumoniae type 19

The pneumococcus streptococcus pneumoniae causes invasive disease and control is hindered by antibiotic-resistant strains. S. pneumoniae has 90 recognized serotypes each producing capsular polysaccharide (CPS). The isolation and characterization of a part of cps19b encoding type-specific functions has been undertaken. It is suggested that further genes are required for 19B CPS biosynthesis.