Abstract: Assays for identifying human patients at risk for developing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus rely on detection of autoantibodies to a 38 kD autoantigen present in pancreatic ?-cells in patient sera. It has been found that autoantibodies to this particular autoantigen developed in patients well before clinical onset of the disease in a significant subpopulation of prediabetic patients. Useful assays will frequently combine detection of autoantibodies to the 38 kD autoantigen with detection of other known markers of IDDM, such as autoantibodies to a 64 kD autoantigen (glutamic acid decarboxylase).

Abstract: Peptide sequences are provided which are capable of mimicking proteins encoded by HCV for use as reagents for screening of blood and blood products for prior exposure to HCV. The peptides are at least 5 amino acids long and can be used in various specific assays for the detection of antibodies to HCV, for the detection of HCV antigens, or as immunogens.

Abstract: A vaccine against Newcastle Disease contains one or more mutant immunogens of the NDW strain. The mutant immunogen lacks the antigenic binding site on the F glycoprotein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody mAb 54. Reagent kits and assay methods help to distinguish vaccinated members of a poultry flock from those that may have been infected with wild-type Newcastle Disease virus.