Immunoassays for anti-HCV antibodies using antigens with conformational epitopes

摘要

Immunoassay methods utilizing HCV envelope antigens that contain conformational epitopes reactive with antibodies in serum from infected individuals are useful for screening and diagnosis. These antigens detect antibodies that are not detected by denatured HCV envelope antigens. In addition, these HCV envelope antigens comprised of conformational epitopes are more immunologically reactive than a number of other HCV antigens. This is the first evidence that conformational epitopes may be involved in the immunologic response to HCV antigens.