Abstract: Composition and method for detection of and vaccination against the viral causative agents of AIDS and ARC. The composition is a synthetic peptide, the amino acid sequence of which is sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of the gp 41 and gp 120 subunits of the gp 160 envelope glycoprotein of HTLV-III, LAV or ARC to produce an immunogenic response in a patient and which has a hydrophilic region therein. The composition may be conjugated to an appropriate carrier for use as a vaccine against AIDS and ARC or bound to the ligand of a specific binding pair, contacted with a sample of biological fluid from a patient suspected of having contracted AIDS or ARC and thereafter contacted with the anti-ligand of the specific binding pair for detection of any antibodies against the viral causative agents of AIDS or ARC which may be present in the sample.

Abstract: A composition for eliciting production of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and method of neutralizing the infectivity of hepatitis type B virus. A cyclic polypeptide is prepared having a disulfide bond in a hydrophilic region, namely residues 117-137 or 122-137 and an amino acid sequence unique from that associated with the native 25,000 molecular weight polypeptide derived from hepatitis B surface antigen.

Abstract: An immunoassay and kit for determining a viral antigen, such as herpes simplex. In one embodiment, the antigen is immunocaptured by an insoluble matrix presenting IgG antibody against the viral antigen. The matrix resulting is subsequently contacted by biotin labeled monoclonal IgM antibody and labeled avidin.