A in-house ELISA with recombinant SARS-Coronavirus antigens developed for diagnostic and seroprevalence studies.

Immunoassay

A in-house ELISA with recombinant SARS-Coronavirus antigens was developed for diagnostic and seroprevalence studies. The whole nucleoprotein (N) , three N fragments, and the cytoplasmic domain of the membrane protein (M2) were used to detect virus-specific IgG in reference sera from 6 SARS patients. Positive reactions with each antigen, consistent with virus neutralization and immunofluorescence tests, were detected. Particularly , elevated antibody titers with very low inter-subject variability were obtained with the M2 antigen. No reaction was detected in the serum of 20 healthy and 73 non-SARS subjects with low-tract respiratory infections. The use of our recombinant antigens holds promise for a standardized SARS serology. Solution to which problem (s) The invention addresses and solves the issue of confirmatory or exclusion diagnosis of SARS by the generation and use of SARS-coronavirus recombinant antigens Key applications The main application falls within SARS diagnosis by serology, particularly ELISA. Other applications are the use of the recombinant antigens for generation and use of policlonal, monoclonal, single-chains and antibody domains for diagnosis and immunotherapy. Finally, the antigens could constitute a valid SARS vaccine Stage of Development The method is fully developed and scaleable.

Preclinical

Priority Filing in UK, Mar.22, 2004.

Developmental Partnership, Outlicense, Sale