Dade International Inc.

Akzo N.v.

Terukatsu Arima

Michael E Jolley

Dinesh O Shah

Priscilla Wilkins Stevens

Pieter Jacob Boender

John Todd

John A Todd

Robert E Byrne

Mark K Kieselburg

Winand J Habets

David C Leahy

Badr Saeed

Delia R Bethell

Terence E Ryan

New assays for diagnosing NANBH utilizing novel peptide fragments derived from polypeptide antigens reactive to antibodies present in the sera of infected patients are disclosed. In producing these peptides, the portion of the polypeptide contributing to high backgrounds is deleted thereby resulting in assays with an exceptionally high signal to background ratio.

Assay for Non-A Non-B hepatitis

A novel cDNA clone, 20E, has been isolated and characterized as encoding a previously unknown polypeptide antigen recognized by antibodies in the serum of certain patients with non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH). The nucleic acid sequence is not represented in the genome of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Neither is the nucleic acid sequence represented in the human genome. The data suggest that the RNA sequence corresponding to clone 20E is contained within the genome of an external infective agent other than HCV, and therefore may represent an additional etiologic agent or contributing factor to the development of NANBH in human patients. The 20E nucleic acid and corresponding polypeptide and respective variants thereof will be useful in a variety of procedures directed at prevention and diagnosis of NANBH.

DNA sequence and encoded polypeptide useful in the diagnosis of

The invention concerns peptides which react immunochemically with antibodies directed against NANBH. A method for the detection of NANBH or anti-NANBH in a test fluid, an immunochemical reagent and a testkit to be used when applying said detection methods belong to the invention.

Peptides immunochemically reactive with antibodies directed against

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Kagoshima, Japan

Terukatsu Arima