Abstract: Polypeptides in the size range 6-11 amino acids from discrete regions of the human immunodeficiency virus p17 protein are immunogenic and form the basis for diagnosis and therapy of HIV-related disease.

Abstract: A kit and method have been developed which can be used to simultaneously detect antibodies to two HTLV or HIV antigens. The kit includes a solid carrier material, such as a microtest plate, having immobilized thereon a mixture of first and second viral antigens. The antigens are from any of HTLV-I, HTLV-II, HIV-I and HIV-II provided, however, that HTLV-II antigen is mixed only with HTLV-I antigen. The kit also comprises labeled-antibodies which are reactive with both the first and second antibodies in a test sample. A biological sample, such as a blood sample, is assayed by contacting it with the immobilized antigens to form reaction products between the immobilized antigens and the antibodies in the sample, followed by contact with the labeled antibodies to form labeled reaction products which can be detected in a suitable manner. The kit and method are useful for rapid screening of biological fluids.