Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: Antigen and antibody vaccine composition effective in preventing hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes a peptide corresponding to a carboxyl terminal end region of the capsid protein encoded by the second open reading frame 2 of the HEV genome. The composition is effective in preventing HEV infection after vaccination. The antibody composition contains an antibody effective to block HEV infection of human primary hepatocytes in culture.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: Antigen and antibody vaccine composition effective in preventing hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes peptides corresponding to carboxyl terminal end regions of the second and third open reasing frames of the HEV genome. The composition is effective in preventing HEV infection after vaccination. The antibody composition contains an antibody effective to block HEV infection of human primary hepatocytes in culture.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences derived from enterically transmitted nonA/nonB viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. DNA sequences encoding specific epitopes within viral protein sequences that are reactive with sera of individuals infected with different strains of HEV are also disclosed. These DNA sequences and fragments thereof are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, for example by using specific amplification of virus-derived DNA sequences, as well as for producing viral proteins or polypeptides.

Abstract: An antigen composition hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes peptides corresponding to carboxyl terminal end regions of the second and third open reading frames of the HEV genome.

Abstract: Antigen and antibody vaccine composition effective in preventing hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes a peptide corresponding to a carboxyl terminal end region of the capsid protein encoded by the second open reading frame 2 of the HEV genome. The composition is effective in preventing HEV infection after vaccination. The antibody composition contains an antibody effective to block HEV infection of human primary hepatocytes in culture.