Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are the use of these polypeptides for the production of polypeptide-specific antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of EBV-associated disease.

Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are the use of these polypeptides for the production of polypeptide-specific antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of EBV-associated disease.

Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific polypeptides consisting of a series of one to 1000 peptide units selected from the group consisting of peptide units ?, ?, ? and ?, wherein ? is 25 amino acids or less and has the formula (?ETFTETWNRFITHTE?) (SEQ ID NO:1), ? is 25 amino acids or less and has the formula (?GMLEASEGLDGWIHQ?) (SEQ ID NO:2), ? is 25 amino acids or less and has the formula (?HQQGGWSTLIEDNI?) (SEQ ID NO:3), ? is 25 amino acids or less and has the formula (?KQKHPKKVKQAFNPL?) (SEQ ID NO:4), ? and ? are each independently from 0 to 5 naturally occurring amino acids, and the polypeptide is capable of binding antibody in a specimen from an individual with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated disease are disclosed. Also disclosed are the use of these polypeptides for the production of polypeptide-specific antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of EBV-associated disease.

Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are the use of these polypeptides for the production of polypeptide-specific antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of EBV-associated disease.

Abstract: A novel assay utilizing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific peptides is disclosed. The assay is particularly useful for detecting early antigen antibodies in a blood sample from an individual having an EBV-associated disease, the disease preferably being infectious mononucleosis.

Abstract: Methods for producing immunoglobulins and in particular anti-D immunoglobulin substantially free of virus and product resulting therefrom. Specifically provided are methods for nanofiltration of the anti-D immunoglobulin in high ionic strength buffer and with excipient such as polysorbate 80. Additional steps include diafiltration to concentrate the anti-D protein and reduce the concentration of excipient present.

Abstract: Abnormal reactions in a red blood cell classification by agglutination, are checked following centrifugation of a sample in a column of a cassette, the column containing microparticles. This is done by imaging the column on a detector array that is used to correlate the images with predefined red cell classes based upon the distribution of the images across the column. However, prior to the correlation step, abnormal reactions are checked for by detecting whether any of the following is present:i) errors that cause imaged features of the column or any pellet produced therein to be out of range;ii) hemolysis of the sample;iii) insufficient or too many blood cells present;iv) mixed field agglutination; andv) presence of fibrin at the top of the microparticles.

Abstract: A method, and a calibration device, for calibrating a system for analyzing aqueous solutions and that includes a pixel array and a variable focus line for focusing onto the pixel array illuminated images of the aqueous solutions. The method includes the steps of illuminating a pattern on the calibration device to form an illuminated image of that pattern, and directing that illuminated image through the lens and onto the pixel array. The method includes the further step of deriving data values representing the image on the pixel array, and using those data values to adjust the focus of the lens and to adjust the position of the calibration device relative to the pixel array.

Abstract: A method, and a calibration device, for calibrating a system for analyzing aqueous solutions and that includes a pixel array and a variable focus line for focusing onto the pixel array illuminated images of the aqueous solutions. The method includes the steps of illuminating a pattern on the calibration device to form an illuminated image of that pattern, and directing that illuminated image through the lens and onto the pixel array. The method includes the further step of deriving data values representing the image on the pixel array, and using those data values to adjust the focus of the lens and to adjust the position of the calibration device relative to the pixel array.

Abstract: Methods of chemical synthesis of labeled nucleotide probes are described. The methods comprise providing a first target recognition moiety comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least about 15 nucleotide bases including at least one 5' end and 3' end. The first target recognition moiety is chemically altered to contain a carboxyl group. A second signal generating moiety comprising a hydroxyl group is provided. The carboxyl group of the first target recognition moiety is chemically reacted with hydroxyl group of the second signal generating moiety to chemically join the two moieties and produce said labeled nucleotide probe.

Abstract: A vessel for conducting blood cell agglutination assays is disclosed. A barrier retains reactants in an upper chamber during incubation, then, in response to a force, permits reagents to enter a lower chamber containing a matrix for separating agglutination.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a solution for an agglutination pattern. The method comprises the steps of producing an illuminated image of the solution on an array of pixels, and assigning to each pixel in the illuminated image, a data value representing the intensity of the illuminated image on the pixel. Those data values are then processed according to a predetermined program to determine if an agglutination pattern is present and, if so, to classify that pattern into one of a plurality of predefined classes. With the preferred processing procedure, the pixel array is separated into a plurality of zones, and the data values for the pixels in each zone are processed according to a respective predetermined procedure to determine values for a predefined set of variables. Then, those determined values are processed to determine whether an agglutination pattern is present in the solution, and if so, to classify that pattern into one of the predefined classes.

Abstract: A method for preparing treated naturally occurring or synthetic particles using a blood cell processor is provided. The method comprises adjusting the blood cell processor to allow a dispersion of such particles to come into contact with a treatment material in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to modify all or a portion of the surface of such particles. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises washing collected red blood cells; separating a selected volume of said washed red blood cells; and treating one portion of said separated washed cells with a selected proteolytic enzyme, to prepare a red blood cell reagent.

Abstract: A transport system for instruments utilized in the analysis of fluids and, more particularly, a transport system which is adapted to be employed in the automated analysis of blood samples. The transport system including cassette transporting and filling structure is provided to extend over and operatively interconnect various stations of a blood analysis apparatus consisting of a blood sample and reagent supply holder, a storage unit for empty cassettes, a carousel or rotor containing an incubator chamber and a chamber at room-temperature for the receipt and filling with blood samples of cassettes, a centrifuge and an automated optical readout rotor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for detecting the presence of binding ligands, especially blood group antigens or antibodies thereto, which utilize a matrix of substantially noncompressable microparticles, which matrix provides superior performance in allowing movement of nonagglutinated reactants, especially red blood cells, while constraining, preferably in a so-called "band formation" agglutinated reactants, especially red blood cells. The device of the invention further comprises a chamber the transverse cross-sectional shape thereof being an ellipse, or preferably a flattened ellipse with two sides parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A blood analysis system or instrument, generally, including an incubator station, a sample and reagent holding station, a pipette assembly, a centrifuge, an analysis station, and a transport assembly. Generally, the incubation station holds containers while reagents and fluids are being dispensed in those containers, and, if desired, for incubating the containers. The sample and reagent holding station holds samples and a plurality of reagents, and the pipette assembly transfers fluids from that sample and reagent holding station to containers in the incubation station. The centrifuge is provided for centrifuging the container, and the analysis station is provided to analyze the containers optically to identify reactions therein. The transport assembly carries the containers between the incubator station, the centrifuge, and the analysis station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cellular fixative composition and method of cellular fixing and cellular analysis wherein cells may be fixed for further analysis without destroying the cell's surface markers, cellular morphology, and the cell's light scattering properties. Treatment of cells with the fixative as described herein also allows antibodies or .other desired components to enter the cell through the cellular membrane, without allowing important contents of the cell to escape. As an added benefit, the fixative composition of the invention may also kill or at least inactivate or reduce the activity of deadly virus contained in the cell. In its broadest aspect, the presently claimed fixative composition comprises at least three components, and in more preferred embodiments, four components.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a solution for an agglutination pattern. The method comprises the steps of producing an illustrated image of the solution on an array of pixels, and assigning to each pixel in the illuminated image, a data value representing the intensity of the illuminated image on the pixel. Those data values are then processed according to a predetermined program to determine if an agglutination pattern is present and, if so, to classify that pattern into one of a plurality of predefined classes. With the preferred processing procedure, the pixel array is separated into a plurality of zones, and the data values for the pixels in each zone are processed according to a respective predetermined procedure to determine values for a predefined set of variables. Then, those determined values are processed to determine whether an agglutination pattern is present in the solution, and if so, to classify that pattern into one of the predefined classes.

Abstract: A blood analysis system or instrument, generally, including an incubator station, a sample and reagent holding station, a pipette assembly, a centrifuge, an analysis station, and a transport assembly. Generally, the incubation station holds containers while reagents and fluids are being dispensed in those containers, and, if desired, for incubating the containers. The sample and reagent holding station holds samples and a plurality of reagents, and the pipette assembly transfers fluids from that sample and reagent holding station to containers in the incubation station. The centrifuge is provided for centrifuging the container, and the analysis station is provided to analyze the containers optically to identify reactions therein. The transport assembly carries the containers between the incubator station, the centrifuge, and the analysis station.

Abstract: A method and test kit useful in a wide variety of immunoassay systems. A method of producing metal sol reagents containing metal sol particles of a preselected size is provided. A metal containing solution is reduced under optimized pH conditions to produce metal sol particles of a preselected size, the particles are coated with a coupling compound and then bound with at least one selected immunochemically reactive component. Particles having different immunochemical specificities are also mixed to produce reagents having multiple selected immunochemical specificities.