| 摘要 |
The present invention relates, e.g., to an isolated peptide comprising the sequence MKKNDQI(V or G)AAIALRGVA (SEQ ID NO:64), wherein the peptide is no longer than 24 amino acids, and wherein the peptide can bind specifically to an antibody induced by a causative agent of Lyme disease (a pathogenic Borrelia), e.g. in a sample from a subject having Lyme disease. Embodiments of this peptide include, e.g., peptides comprising the sequence MKKNDQIVAAIALRGVA (SEQ ID NO:65) or MKKNDQIGAAIALRGVA (SEQ ID NO:66). Also disclosed are linear multimeric peptides that contain the peptide represented by SEQ ID NO:64 as well as one or more additional peptide epitopes from other Borrelia proteins that can also bind specifically to an antibody as above. Compositions and diagnostic kits comprising a peptide of the invention are described, as are diagnostic assays using the peptide(s).
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