A combination vaccine of two VLP mimotopes limits pathogenesis in a mouse model of <i>S. aureus</i> dermonecrosis.

<p>Mice were vaccinated with 10 µg of a 1∶1 suspension of peptide 2 and peptide 4 and inoculated with 1×10⁸ CFU of AH1872 as described previously. At the apex of infection (day 3) (A) abscess and ulcer area were measured and (B) bacterial burden at the site of infection was determined, and (C) local cytokine and chemokine levels were determined. (D) Western blot showing relative HLA levels in tissue homogenate of vaccinated and challenged mice. Quantification based on Western blot band intensity relative to total protein concentration. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM of 6–10 mice per group. ns, not significant; *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01.