Due to the importance of T4P for NTHI colonization and pathogenesis, and as a result of the conservation of the amino acid sequence of PilA among diverse NTHI strains (16, 26, 27), PilA is in clinical trials as a candidate vaccine immunogen for the prevention of NTHI-induced exacerbations of COPD (28, 29). The gene discussed is HIVEP2-DT; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.