Abstract: New polymorphisms in the nucleic acid sequences of the DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase open reading frame and viral surface antigen open reading frame of the hepatitis B virus are reported. In particular, the present invention relates to the mutation YMDD?YSDD in the HBV reverse transcriptase domain and to the W196V mutation in the small HBV viral surface antigen. Said polymorphisms are affecting the detection of drug resistance mutations by genotypic methods and diagnostic kits based thereon. The present invention relates to methods and diagnostic kits for detection of a HBV virus comprising said nucleic acid polymorphisms. In particular, those methods utilizing oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing to said HBV nucleic acid polymorphisms are envisaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region, between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, to be used for the specific detection and/or identification of Serratia species, in particular of Serratia marcescens, Serratia ficaria and/or Serratia fonticola, in a biological sample. The present invention relates also to a method for the specific detection and/or identification of Serratia species, in particular Serratia marcescens, Serratia ficaria and/or Serratia fonticola, using said new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS region. It relates also to nucleic acid primers to be used for the amplification of said spacer region of Serratia species in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the typing of HLA alleles. The sequence of exon 2 and exon 3 of the alleles HLA-B*3913, HLA-B*1406 and HLA-B*51new and of exon 2 of the alleles HLA-DRB1*0820, HLA-DRB1*04new and HLA-DRB4*01new are disclosed. The present invention relates to methods for typing of the alleles HLA-B*3913, HLA-B*1406 and HLA-B*51new. The present invention further provides primers and probes to be used in the methods for typing. A diagnostic kit comprising these primers and probes is also part of the present invention.

Abstract: New polymorphisms in the nucleic acid sequences of the DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase open reading frame and viral surface antigen open reading frame of the hepatitis B virus are reported. In particular, the present invention relates to the mutation YMDD?YSDD in the HBV reverse transcriptase domain and to the W196V mutation in the small HBV viral surface antigen. Said polymorphisms are affecting the detection of drug resistance mutations by genotypic methods and diagnostic kits based thereon. The present invention relates to methods and diagnostic kits for detection of a HBV virus comprising said nucleic acid polymorphisms. In particular, those methods utilizing oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing to said HBV nucleic acid polymorphisms are envisaged.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to the N-terminal region of A?8-x peptide, x being included from 11 to 42, and recognizes neither A?1-40 nor A?1-42 and which presents a high affinity with respect to A?8-x peptide, such as determined by an immunological complex formation between the monoclonal antibody and the peptide A?8-x.

Abstract: New polymorphisms in the nucleic acid sequences of the DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase open reading frame and viral surface antigen open reading frame of the hepatitis B virus are reported. In particular, the present invention relates to the mutation YMDD?YSDD in the HBV reverse transcriptase domain and to the W196V mutation in the small HBV viral surface antigen. Said polymorphisms are affecting the detection of drug resistance mutations by genotypic methods and diagnostic kits based thereon. The present invention relates to methods and diagnostic kits for detection of a HBV virus comprising said nucleic acid polymorphisms. In particular, those methods utilizing oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing to said HBV nucleic acid polymorphisms are envisaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for genotyping any HCV isolate present in a biological sample, previously identified as being HCV positive, and for classifying said isolate according to the percentage of homology with other HCV isolates, comprising the steps of: contacting said sample in which the ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides have been made accessible, if need be, under suitable denaturation, with at least one probe from about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, with said probe being liable to hybridize to a region being in the domain extending from nucleotide at position ?291 to nucleotide at position ?66 of the 5? untranslated region of one of the HCV isolates represented by their cDNA sequences, with said numbering of position beginning with the first ATG codon of the open reading frame encoding the HCV polyprotein, or with said probe being complementary to the above-defined probes, detecting the complexes possibly formed between said probe and the nucleotide sequence of the HCV isolate to be iden

Abstract: The current invention relates to the field of detection and identification of clinically important fungi. More particularly, the present invention relates to species specific probes originating from the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of rDNA for the detection of fungal species such as Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida kefyr, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans and Pneumocystis carinii in clinical samples, and methods using said probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for genotyping any HCV isolate present in a biological sample, previously identified as being HCV positive, and for classifying said isolate according to the percentage of homology with other HCV isolates, comprising the steps of: contacting said sample in which the ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides have been made accessible, if need be, under suitable denaturation, with at least one probe from about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, with said probe being liable to hybridize to a region being in the domain extending from nucleotide at position ?291 to nucleotide at position ?66 of the 5? untranslated region of one of the HCV isolates represented by their cDNA sequences, with said numbering of position beginning with the first ATG codon of the open reading frame encoding the HCV polyprotein, or with said probe being complementary to the above-defined probes, detecting the complexes possibly formed between said probe and the nucleotide sequence of the HCV isolate to be iden

Abstract: The present invention relates to new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region, between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, to be used for the specific detection and/or identification of Serratia species, in particular of Serratia marcescens, Serratia ficaria and/or Serratia fonticola, in a biological sample. The present invention relates also to a method for the specific detection and/or identification of Serratia species, in particular Serratia marcescens, Serratia ficaria and/or Serratia fonticola, using said new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS region. It relates also to nucleic acid primers to be used for the amplification of said spacer region of Serratia species in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of Hepatitis B variants exhibiting a reduced sensitivity to nucleoside analogues, both in vivo and in vitro. More in particular, reverse transcriptase mutant rtA181S is provided. Present invention provides assays and methods for detecting such variant, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and adjusting patient therapy. A diagnostic kit for detecting the presence of an HBV variant in a biological sample has also been described.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinantly or synthetically produced HCV E1 envelope proteins or parts thereof comprising disulfides between specific cysteine residues. The invention further relates to viral-like particles and compositions comprising said HCV E1 envelope proteins or parts thereof as well as to methods using said HCV E1 envelope proteins or parts thereof, and to kits comprising said HCV E1 envelope proteins or parts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 16S-23S rRNA spacer sequences from Staphylococcus aureus and their use in a method for detection and/or identification of Staphylococcus aureus . The invention further relates to a method for detection and identification of Staphylococcus aureus in a sample, involving the steps of: (i) optionally releasing, isolating and/or concentrating the polynucleic acids present in the sample; (ii) optionally amplifying the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region, or a part thereof, with at least one primer pair; (iii) detecting the presence of a 16S-23S rRNA spacer sequence; and (iv) identifying the Staphylococcus aureus present in the sample from the nucleic acid(s) detected in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the diagnosis of tauopathies in an individual and/or for the differential diagnosis of a tauopathy versus a non-tauopathy based on the detection of the ratio of phospho-tau (181)/total tau in said individual. The present invention further provides a phospho-peptide for standardization in a method of the invention.

Abstract: The current invention relates to vectors and methods for efficient expression of HCV envelope proteins in eukaryotic cells. More particularly said vectors comprise the coding sequence for an avian lysozyme signal peptide or a functional equivalent thereof joined to a HCV envelope protein or a part thereof. Said avian lysozyme signal peptide is efficiently removed when the protein comprising said avian lysozyme signal peptide joined to a HCV envelope protein or a part thereof is expressed in a eukaryotic cell. Suitable eukaryotic cells include yeast cells such as Saccharomyces or Hansenula cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detection and/or genetic analysis of HBV in a biological sample, comprising hybridizing the polynucleic acids of the sample with a combination of at least two nucleotide probes, with said combination hybridizing specifically to a mutant target sequence chosen from the HBV RT pol gene region and/or to a mutant target sequence chosen from the HBV preCore region and/or to a mutant target sequence chosen from the HBsAg region of HBV and/or to a HBV genotype-specific target sequence, with said target sequences being chosen from FIG.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for genotyping any HCV isolate present in a biological sample, previously identified as being HCV positive, and for classifying said isolate according to the percentage of homology with other HCV isolates, comprising the steps of: contacting said sample in which the ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides have been made accessible, if need be, under suitable denaturation, with at least one probe from about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, with said probe being liable to hybridize to a region being in the domain extending from nucleotide at position -291 to nucleotide at position -66 of the 5? untranslated region of one of the HCV isolates represented by their cDNA sequences, with said numbering of position beginning with the first ATG codon of the open reading frame encoding the HCV polyprotein, or with said probe being complementary to the above-defined probes, detecting the complexes possibly formed between said probe and the nucleotide sequence of the HCV isolate to be iden

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that peptides derived from a specific domain of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) can efficiently be used to treat oedema. More specifically, the present invention relates to the usage of peptides derived from the region of human TNF-? from Ser100 to Glu116 to treat pulmonary oedema. For example, the circularized peptide having amino acid sequence CGQRETPEGAEAKPWYC is shown to be very efficient in inducing oedema resorption.

Abstract: Method for the detection of the antibiotic resistance spectrum of Mycobacterium species present in a sample, possibly coupled to the identification of the Micobacterium species involved, comprising the steps of: (i) if need be releasing, isolating or concentrating the polynucleic acids present in the sample; (ii) if need be amplifying the relevant part of the antibiotic resistance genes present in said sample with at least one suitable primer pair; (iii) hybridizing the polynucleic acids of step (i) or (ii) with at least one of the rpoB gene probes, as specified in table 2, under the appropriate hybridization and wash conditions; (iv) detecting the hybrids formed in step (iii); (v) inferring the Mycobacterium antibiotic resistance spectrum, and possibly the Mycobacterium species involved from the differential hybridization signal(s) obtained in step (iv).

Abstract: The current invention relates to HCV envelope proteins or parts thereof which are the product of expression in eukaryotic cells. More particularly said HCV envelope proteins are characterized in that on average up to 80% of their N-glycosylation sites are core-glycosylated. Of these N-glycosylated sites more than 70% are glycosylated with an oligomannose having a structure defined by Man(8 to 10)-GlcNAc(2). Furthermore, the ratio of the oligomannose with structure Man(7)-GlcNAc(2) over the oligomannose with structure Man(8)-GlcNAc(2) is less than or equal to 0.45. Less than 10% of the oligomannoses is terminated with an ?1,3 linked mannose. The HCV envelope proteins of the invention are particularly suited for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. A suitable eukaryotic cell for production of the HCV envelope proteins of the invention is a Hansenula cell.