Major neutralization site of hepatitis E virus and use of this neutralization site in methods of vaccination and in methods of screening for neutralizing antibodies to hepatitis E virus

摘要

The invention describes the identification of a major neutralization site of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and the use of this neutralization site in methods of vaccination and in methods of screening for neutralizing antibodies to HEV. The invention also describes the isolation and characterization of neutralizing chimpanzee monoclonal antibodies reactive to the neutralization site and the use of these antibodies in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HEV.