ADAM-HCV, a new-concept diagnostic assay for antibodies to hepatitis C virus in serum. |
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| Authors: | O Minenkova N Gargano A De Tomassi F Bellintani A Pucci P Fortugno E Fuscaldi A Pessi M Rapicetta M Miceli P Iudicone R Cortese F Felici P Monaci |
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| Institution: | Kenton Laboratories, c/o Sigma Tau, Rome, Italy. |
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| Abstract: | We screened phage libraries using sera from noninfected individuals and patients infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). By applying different selection and maturation strategies, we identified a wide collection of efficient phage-borne ligands for HCV-specific antibodies. The selected ligands retained their antigenic properties when expressed as multimeric synthetic peptides. Peptides that mimic several immunodominant epitopes of the virus were used to develop a novel type of diagnostic assay which efficiently detects antibodies to HCV in serum. This type of analysis provides a conclusive diagnosis for many patients identified as indeterminate according to presently available serological assays. |
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