Abstract: Compositions and processes are provided for the robust detection of hepatitis C virus in a sample. Compositions include amino acid sequences of HCV core region including or exclusive to residues 14-31 or 50-90 of the HCV core protein. Also provided are processes of detecting HCV in a sample whereby the provided peptides are optionally used alone or in conjunction with antibodies that do not recognize the peptides so that detection is independent of seroconversion in a subject. Using the compositions and processes, HCV can be detected in a sample prior to or following seroconversion leading to robust HCV detection and diagnosis.

Abstract: Compositions and processes are provided for the robust detection of hepatitis C virus in a sample. Compositions include amino acid sequences of HCV core region including or exclusive to residues 14-31 or 50-90 of the HCV core protein. Also provided are processes of detecting HCV in a sample whereby the provided peptides are optionally used alone or in conjunction with antibodies that do not recognize the peptides so that detection is independent of seroconversion in a subject. Using the compositions and processes, HCV can be detected in a sample prior to or following seroconversion leading to robust HCV detection and diagnosis.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides immunoreactive with hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies are provided. The peptides are useful as laboratory reagents to detect or quantify HAV antibodies in biological samples in clinical or research-based assays and for inducing an immune response to HAV when administered to a human or animal. The peptides contain antigenic epitopes, modified antigenic epitopes or combinations of epitopes of the major structural capsid polypeptides or non-structural polypeptides of HAV and contain one or more molecules of the amino acid glutamine (Q) at the carboxyl end of the peptide, which enhances immunoreactivity and immunogenicity, particularly IgM antibody reactivity.

Abstract: Antigenic epitopes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and mosaic HCV polypeptides useful as reagents in assays for the diagnosis or monitoring of HCV in a biological sample. The antigenic epitopes and mosaic polypeptides are also useful for the construction of immunogenic pharmaceutical compositions, such as vaccines. The mosaic polypeptides are artificial composite proteins constructed from diagnostically relevant antigenic regions derived from different HCV proteins. Preferably, the mosaic polypeptides contain antigenic epitopes from the core protein, NS3 protein, and NS4 protein. The preferred mosaic polypeptides optionally contain an additional antigenic epitope from either the NS4 protein or the NS5a protein or both.

Abstract: A mosaic protein comprising a variety of immunoreactive antigenic epitopes from several genotypes of hepatitis C virus. The mosaic protein provides a sensitive and specific immunological hepatitis detection assay. A restriction enzyme assisted ligation method of making an artificial gene permits controlled construction of mosaic proteins, and allows confirmatory expression of the intermediate gene products.

Abstract: Antigenically reactive regions of the Hepatitis A virus polyprotein are provided. These antigenically reactive regions, and polypeptides and proteins comprising these antigenically reactive regions, provide a sensitive and specific immunological hepatitis A virus detection assay. The specific use of regions derived from the nonstructural regions of the polypeptide provides the basis for determining immunity derived from prior or present infection by the Hepatitis A virus and allows one to distinguish between an immunological response derived from infection and that derived from immunization.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides immunoreactive with hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies are provided. The peptides are useful as laboratory reagents to detect or quantify HAV antibodies in biological samples in clinical or research-based assays and for inducing an immune response to HAV when administered to a human or animal. The peptides contain antigenic epitopes, modified antigenic epitopes or combinations of epitopes of the major structural capsid polypeptides or non-structural polypeptides of HAV and contain one or more molecules of the amino acid glutamine (Q) at the carboxyl end of the peptide, which enhances immunoreactivity and immunogenicity, particularly IgM antibody reactivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic Hepatitis E Virus polypeptides and methods of use. The polypeptides include at least one neutralizing antigenic epitope and preferably contain at least about fifty amino acids residues between amino acid residues 452 and 617 from the C-terminal of the HEV pORF2 protein. The polypeptides are useful, alone or in combination with other polypeptides of the present invention, as a reagent for studying the pathogenesis of HEV and monitoring treatment efficacy in subjects undergoing treatment for HEV. Further, the polypeptides can be used as a vaccine to treat or prevent HEV.

Abstract: It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference for all purpose.

Abstract: Antigenic epitopes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and mosaic HCV polypeptides useful as reagents in assays for the diagnosis or monitoring of HCV in a biological sample. The antigenic epitopes and mosaic polypeptides are also useful for the construction of immunogenic pharmaceutical compositions, such as vaccines. The mosaic polypeptides are artificial composite proteins constructed from diagnostically relevant antigenic regions derived from different HCV proteins. Preferably, the mosaic polypeptides contain antigenic epitopes from the core protein, NS3 protein, and NS4 protein. The preferred mosaic polypeptides optionally contain an additional antigenic epitope from either the NS4 protein or the NS5a protein or both.

Abstract: A mosaic protein comprising a variety of immunoreactive antigenic epitopes from several genotypes of hepatitis C virus. The mosaic protein provides a sensitive and specific immunological hepatitis detection assay. A restriction enzyme assisted ligation method of making an artificial gene permits controlled construction of mosaic proteins, and allows confirmatory expression of the intermediate gene products.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigenic peptides which bind anti-HCV antibodies for the differential diagnosis of acute and chronic HCV infection.

Abstract: A nucleic acid encoding a mosaic hepatitis E virus (HEV) polypeptide, consisting of the nucleotide sequence defined in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NO:1 is provided. A nucleic acid encoding epitopes 5, 6, 22, 23, 28 and 29 of hepatitis E virus and substantially lacking the nucleic acids intervening the epitope-coding nucleic acids in the native hepatitis E virus is also provided. An isolated nucleic acid that selectively hybridizes under stringent conditions with the mosaic polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid and has at least 70% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 is provided. Also provided are such nucleic acids having at least 80%, 90% and 95% sequence identity. A polypeptide consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence defined in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NO:2 is provided.