Abstract: Diagnostically relevant polypeptides and fusion proteins comprising an amino acid sequence which originates from cytomegalovirus and corresponds to a region of the major DNA-binding protein or of the C-terminal region of the tegument protein pp150 fused with at least one further fragment from another antigenic protein of cytomegalovirus are disclosed. The major DNA-binding protein is encoded by the reading frame UL57. The poly-peptides and fusion proteins according to the invention can be used in an advantageous manner in diagnostic tests and methods for the detection of IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies that recognize a structure common to human interleukin-2 and to the light .lambda. chain of human immunoglobulin and lines of hybridoma cells that produce these monoclonal antibodies can be prepared by immunizing animals, especially mice, with human interleukin-2 (TCGF) and fusing the splenocytes obtained from the animals with animal, expecially mouse, myeloma cells to create a hybridoma. The hybridomas are raised as clones and the antibodies obtained from the individual clones tested for their specificity to human interleukin-2 (TCGF). Clones that produce antibodies with a specificity to human interleukin-2 (TCGF) are selected for further raising to prepare the antibody. The antibody is harvested from the culture medium or from the ascitic fluids of the animal, especially the mouse, with the hybridoma.

Abstract: A blood-culture flask with an integrated subculture. It comprises a flask proper that can be filled with a liquid nutrient solution and has a neck with an outside thread, a support that can be coated with a solid culture medium, a resilient stopper with an edge that projects at one end, and a screw cap. The screw cap consists of a bottom that is open above and below and has an inside thread and of a top that is open below. The inside thread is dimensioned so that it can be screwed down over the outside thread on the neck of the flask so that the upper edge of the thread is below the upper edge of the neck when screwed on. The resilient stopper is positioned inside the bottom of the screw cap so that the bottom surface of its resilient projecting edge comes to rest against the offset above the thread when not screwed on and its lower section is dimensioned so that it can be introduced tight into the neck of the flask.

Abstract: Crude interleukin-2 extract is subjected to group-selective dye-ligand absorption chromatography in one or more stages of purification with a matrix-gel medium consisting of a Blue A ligand or variant thereof or of a Green A ligand in a concentration of approximately 1.5 to 3.0 mg/ml of expanded matrix at a pH of approximately 6.8 to 8.5, a temperature of approximately 4.degree. to 40.degree. C., and a flowthrough rate of approximately 10 to 100 ml/h, employing an eluent. Either PHA-free or extremely pure interleukin-2 is obtained, depending on the overall number of purification stages.