Abstract: Method for the detection and classification of PRRSV-infections in swine herds, comprising a) the incubation of tissue samples taken from the animals with at least one antigen capable to bind a neutralizing antibody against the Type I-virus possibly present in the animal and with at least one antigen capable to bind a neutralizing antibody against the Type II-virus possibly present in the animal, b) testing whether a binding of antibodies against the Type I-virus and/or the Type II-virus has taken place and c) determining from the presence of possible epitope-antibody complexes whether an infection of the PRRSV I-Type and/or PRRSV II-Type is present in the herd and diagnostic compositions for such a method.

Abstract: Method for the detection and classification of PRRSV-infections in swine herds, comprising a) the incubation of tissue samples taken from the animals with at least one antigen capable to bind a neutralizing antibody against the Type I-virus possibly present in the animal and with at least one antigen capable to bind a neutralizing antibody against the Type II-virus possibly present in the animal, b) testing whether a binding of antibodies against the Type I-virus and/or the Type II-virus has taken place and c) determining from the presence of possible epitope-antibody complexes whether an infection of the PRRSV I-Type and/or PRRSV II-Type is present in the herd and diagnostic compositions for such a method.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for detecting prions and/or prion disease-associated forms of prion protein. These methods provide sensitive and specific identification of prions in both biological and environmental samples. These methods include the use of both immunoprecipitation and an amplification assay that uses shaking in the absence of sonication, such as QuIC(SQ) or RT-QuIC(RTQ). In specific non-limiting examples, the methods include the use of monoclonal antibody 15B3 and/or RT-QuIC(RTQ), and/or a substrate replacement step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soluble hybrid protein, comprising at least a first polypeptide sequence derived from a prion protein PrPc that is capable of binding a protein responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalitis (PrPSc), and a second polypeptide sequence (tag), wherein said hybrid protein does not comprise a functional membrane anchor moiety. Also, the present invention is directed to the use of said hybrid proteins for the diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of said hybrid protein, a nucleic acid encoding said hybrid protein, a vector, and/or a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding said hybrid protein for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

Abstract: B-cells have been identified as being the crucial carriers of infectivity in the spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy within an infected organism. In a second step, B-cells may infect further components_of the immune system, e.g. T-cells. Accordingly, the present invention provides B-cell and T-cell specific ligands for the use in diagnostics and therapeutics for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy and provides methods for the manufacture of non-infective blood products and tissue derived products. Thus, the present invention provides medicaments comprising B-cell and/or T-cell depletants, for the treatment of pathologies where the depletion of B-cells and/or T-cells, and more particularly of tse-infected B-cells and/or T-cells is therapeutically effective.